Belgium battles largest wildfire in its history as King Philippe visits Hautes Fagnes; Le Soir warns 'This is no longer just a warning'

Belgium is facing its largest wildfire in history, with over 3,000 hectares scorched in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve. The fire, which began on Friday, has prompted evacuations near the German border and has drawn attention from King Philippe, who will visit the affected area.¹

The situation has escalated significantly, with Belgian newspaper Le Soir stating, “This is no longer just a warning,” highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing summer heatwave. The blaze has been relentless, threatening not only local wildlife but also human settlements.²

As the fire rages, it has become part of a broader pattern of wildfires across Europe, with tragic incidents reported in Greece and Spain. An elderly couple tragically lost their lives in a fire on the Greek island of Salamis, while a soldier died in Spain while combating a wildfire in Aragon.⁴

French reinforcements are expected to assist in controlling the blaze, which has now lasted over a week and poses a threat to historical sites, including a 1,000-year-old monastery. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the rapid spread of the fire and the need for immediate action to protect both lives and heritage.³

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