The High Fens, a normally wet nature reserve in eastern Belgium, is experiencing its largest wildfire ever. This area, known for its peat bogs and forests, has become very dry due to extreme heat. The fire started on a Friday when temperatures reached almost 37 degrees Celsius. By Saturday, the fire had grown from 80 to 850 hectares, and by Sunday, it covered about 3,000 hectares. The dry peat makes it very hard to fight the fire.
About 600 people were evacuated from the Belgian towns of Waimes, Bütgenbach, and Sourbrodt because of smoke and wind. The fire also moved towards Germany, coming close to the town of Monschau. In Monschau, 30 people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
Many countries are helping to fight the fire. Over 250 emergency workers from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands are on the scene. The European Union has sent water-bombing planes and helicopters from Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Local farmers are also helping by bringing water.
"There is a risk that the fire could reach homes, but we are using all available resources to protect them," said Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesperson for the regional authorities.
This fire in Belgium is part of a larger problem across Europe caused by climate change. High temperatures and dry conditions are hurting farming and causing water shortages. In France, extreme heat forced some nuclear power plants to stop working. In Italy, cows are suffering from the heat, and farmers are getting government help.
Fires are happening all over Europe. In France, a fire burned 1,700 hectares. In Spain, a fire destroyed 16,600 hectares and caused one death. In Croatia, a fire killed one person and injured 40. On the Greek island of Salamina, a fire spread quickly, killing two people and requiring the rescue of 500 inhabitants by boat.
So far this year, about 576,000 hectares have burned across Europe, which is twice the size of Luxembourg. Experts say that restoring the damaged peatland in the High Fens could take many decades or even centuries.