A massive wildfire in Belgium continued to burn uncontrollably on Monday, despite milder weather and rain providing some relief to firefighters. The fire, located in the eastern High Fens region near the German border, has scorched an estimated 30 square kilometers of land, leaving charred trees and smoldering ground in its wake.
Europe is currently experiencing one of its hottest and driest summers on record, a situation exacerbated by climate change, according to recent studies. King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his summer vacation to visit emergency crews battling the blaze, which has the potential to persist underground in peaty soil for months and sporadically reignite, as stated by a fire ranger.
Although the fire did not significantly expand due to favorable winds, it remained uncontained in inaccessible areas, as reported by authorities in the Wallonia region. Over 500 firefighters, supported by aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, along with local police drones, worked tirelessly to combat the flames. Farmers also joined the efforts by supplying water to aid in extinguishing the fire.
In Greece, a wildfire near Athens’ main airport briefly flared up before being swiftly extinguished by firefighters and air support. Meanwhile, in France, a fire in the Landes region has been brought under control after four days of intense firefighting efforts, allowing evacuated residents to return home.
The severity of the wildfires across Europe has prompted concerns about the long-term impact on the environment and wildlife. As temperatures begin to drop and some respite is felt, authorities are taking steps to support affected regions and communities in their recovery efforts. In Croatia, authorities have arrested four individuals suspected of deliberately starting multiple fires in the Zadar region, further highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by arson-related incidents during the heatwave.