Wildfires continue to scorch large parts of Europe as persistent heat and dry conditions strain firefighting resources from the Atlantic coast to the Aegean. In Belgium, a blaze in the High Fens nature reserve has become the largest wildfire ever recorded in the country, more than doubling in size within 24 hours to reach roughly 3,000 hectares by Sunday morning.
The fire, which started two days ago in the Wallonia region, has prompted an unprecedented response. More than 250 firefighters and emergency personnel were deployed on Saturday night, supported by personnel and vehicles from Belgium's unified defence force. The reserve, known for its extensive peatlands and pine forests, is especially vulnerable because prolonged hot weather has dried out the vegetation, turning it into highly combustible fuel.
Firefighters from neighbouring Germany and Luxembourg have joined the effort, and local farmers have also been assisting. The blaze is moving towards the German border, raising concerns about cross-border spread. Belgium activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on Saturday, which brought in three helicopters and two water-bombing aircraft from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic.
On Saturday afternoon, residents in parts of Liège province were asked to evacuate. Local media reported that around 600 people had left their homes, with a rest shelter set up in a gymnasium in the nearby municipality of Malmedy. The situation remains fluid, and authorities have warned that the fire could continue to expand given the dry conditions.
Germany and France battle separate blazes
Across the border in Germany, emergency services made significant progress against a fire in the Hürtgen forest, which had forced evacuations on Friday. About 2,000 residents of the village of Gey were allowed to return home on Saturday evening, according to the German news agency dpa. The fire there is now largely contained, though crews remain on alert.
In France, authorities reported no major flare-ups overnight as they continued to tackle large-scale fires in the southwestern Landes region. More than 1,700 hectares, mostly pine forests, have been scorched since Thursday. Around 550 firefighters, assisted by military personnel and six water-bombing aircraft, are battling the blaze, which remains out of control. In the northeastern Ardennes region, a separate fire has burned 100 hectares, with officials describing the situation as "unprecedented in recent history," according to David Gouzou, deputy director of the Ardennes fire service.
The fires have put a spotlight on Europe's growing wildfire risk, a challenge that has prompted innovative responses, such as Swiss ski resorts repurposing snowmaking pipes to fight blazes. As the continent faces more frequent and intense heatwaves, mass evacuations have become a recurring reality.
Southern Europe under pressure
In Croatia, four people have been arrested on suspicion of starting wildfires along the coastline. Fires have ripped through pine forests and olive groves amid high temperatures and drought, adding to the pressure on local emergency services.
Greece, which has faced a series of wildfires this summer, saw crews spend a second day fighting an outbreak on the island of Skyros. The local mayor expressed hope that the fire would be fully extinguished within a day, but the situation remains tense.
Spain's Aragon region has deployed what officials called the largest firefighting arsenal in its history, as French reinforcements were due to arrive to help contain a wildfire that has threatened a 1,000-year-old monastery. The fire, which broke out just over a week ago in the Huesca municipality of Las Peñas de Riglos, has affected up to 16,600 hectares. Windy conditions have caused the blaze to spread further, hampering containment efforts.
The scale of the fires across Europe has tested the limits of national firefighting capacities, prompting calls for greater EU coordination. Sea rescues in Greece have highlighted the strain on resources, while record heat from Albania to Spain has created a tinderbox across the continent.
As the fires continue, the focus remains on protecting lives, property, and natural heritage. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated multiple times this summer, underscoring the need for a coordinated European response to what is becoming a seasonal crisis.
