Wildfires Scorching Europe: Belgium and Greece Hit Hard

Wildfires Ravage Belgium and Greece

Firefighters have contended with severe wildfires in eastern Belgium and on a Greek island near Athens. These fires have escalated due to hot and dry conditions affecting various parts of Europe.

In Belgium, a massive blaze burned approximately 30 square kilometers (12 square miles) in the High Fens nature reserve. This incident marks one of the worst wildfires in Belgium’s recent history. Authorities ordered evacuation for about 600 residents in Waimes and Bütgenbach in Liège province due to shifting winds and spreading smoke. Efforts to manage the fire involved over 250 emergency personnel, including Belgian and German firefighters, police, military officers, and civil protection teams. Helicopters operated by Belgian’s federal police and the Netherlands supported firefighting actions.

READ MORE: European countries battle multiple wildfires as record heat grips the continent.

Tragic Losses in Greece

In Greece, two fatalities occurred on Salamina island, west of Athens. Greek firefighters recovered the bodies in the village of Peristeria, where strong winds intensified the spreading fire. Additionally, a second fire was reported in the Selini area, prompting the evacuation of about 500 beachgoers. A total of 260 firefighters responded, utilizing 15 ground teams, 10 aircraft, and eight helicopters.

Fire Brigadier General Vasileios Vathrakogiannis noted that high fire risk combined with near gale-force winds led to rapid fire spread within seven minutes towards residential areas.

Belgium’s Record-Breaking Wildfire

The current blaze has surpassed Belgium’s previous largest wildfire in 2011, which burned nearly 14 square kilometers (5.4 square miles) in the same region according to the European Forest Fire Information System.

Nicolas Yernaux from the Public Service of Wallonia detailed how extremely dry soil has worsened conditions. Chief engineer René Dahmen stated the fire continues to spread in inaccessible areas. The primary focus is halting its advancement towards municipal forests.

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin commended efforts to prevent its westward expansion towards Monschau, Germany. Officials warned the fire was 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile) from the border. Farmers delivered water with tanker trucks to support firefighting efforts.

Inter-European Assistance

Belgium activated the European Union’s civil protection mechanism for help from other nations. EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said Belgium is receiving support, including water-bombing aircraft from Sweden and helicopters from the Netherlands and Czech Republic.

The High Fens are burning. Belgium is not facing it alone, Lahbib stated.

Persistent hot weather influenced the High Fens’ environment, complicating containment measures. Belgium recorded intense heat this week, peaking at about 37 C (98.6 F).

Challenges in France, UK, and Germany

In France, a wildfire in Landes region burned 17 square kilometers (6.6 square miles), leading to the evacuation of 650 people. This marks the third major wildfire in southwestern France’s pine forests this summer.

Simultaneously, the UK fights 14 wildfires in South Wales, aggravated by drought conditions despite an easing heat wave. The West Midlands in England witnessed homes being gutted during the hottest day of the year, hitting 38.1 C (100.6 F).

German firefighters made progress against a wildfire in the Hürtgen Forest, allowing the return of about 2,000 evacuated residents of Gey. Officials confirmed no open flames remained, with cleared cordons established around the affected area.

As fires persist, European countries unite in efforts to combat these catastrophic incidents.