- The fire in Liège province has burned an estimated 30 square kilometers (about 12 square miles), leaving blackened trees and smoldering ground.
- Belgium’s King Philippe interrupted his summer vacation to visit emergency services fighting the wildfire in the eastern High Fens, about eight kilometers (five miles) from the German border, as it spread east after moving into a pine forest on Sunday.
- A cold front brought overnight rain, aiding firefighters, but it did not significantly impact the center of the fire.
- The fire continued toward Monschau in Germany, with an inaccessible area still burning, according to Nicolas Yernaux, spokesperson for the Wallonia regional public services.
- Precautionary evacuation orders remained in effect for hundreds of residents, and tourists have left the region and canceled reservations.
- In Greece, investigators examined the area on Salamina where a wildfire killed two people and injured nine, while a separate fire near Athens was contained within 30 minutes.
- Overnight rains helped contain the blaze and dampen the possibility of flare-ups, but their effectiveness was uncertain.
- An 80-year-old man was arrested in Greece for arson, among 302 fire-related arrests since January 1.
A major wildfire in Belgium has consumed approximately 30 square kilometers near the German border, prompting King Philippe to visit emergency services. Despite cooler weather and rain aiding firefighters, the blaze remains challenging, particularly in inaccessible areas.12
Nicolas Yernaux, spokesperson for Wallonia regional public services, stated, “We managed to maintain the fire where the firemen are situated but there’s still a place which is totally inaccessible, where the fire is still going on in the direction of Monschau in Germany.” The fire has left behind blackened trees and smoldering ground, with precautionary evacuation orders in place for hundreds of residents.456
In Greece, a separate wildfire on the island of Salamina resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries, prompting investigations into the cause. Firefighters quickly contained a blaze near Athens' main airport within 30 minutes. An 80-year-old man was arrested for allegedly setting fire to dried vegetation, part of a larger trend with 302 fire-related arrests in Greece this year, including 31 for deliberate arson.79
As the Belgian fire continues, local businesses are feeling the impact, with Thomas van Sante, owner of the Mont Dragon hotel, noting, “There’s rain now but it is not enough.”
“The fire has burned an estimated 30 square kilometers in Liège province, with international aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands assisting. In Greece, an 80-year-old man was arrested for arson, part of 302 fire-related arrests since Jan. 1.”
