Belgian Farmers Join Firefighters in Battle Against High Fens Wildfire

A massive wildfire in eastern Belgium has prompted a large-scale response, with local farmers joining firefighters on the front lines. The blaze, which has scorched more than 27 square kilometers in the High Fens — the country's largest nature reserve — has forced around 600 residents from nearby towns to evacuate as shifting winds spread smoke.

Volunteers from across the border have also answered the call. Louis Klemens, a farmer from Germany, said he drove an hour and a half after hearing about the fire on the news. He and others have been filling tanker trucks with water from a nearby lake to support the firefighting effort.

More than 250 emergency personnel, including Belgian and German crews, are working to control the flames. A command center has been set up along the roadside, and helicopters are ferrying water in helibuckets to douse hotspots. Authorities report that no homes have been damaged so far, though the fire remains dangerously close to residential areas.

Local resident Jean Julien Servais expressed fear for his young daughter, recalling fires from fifteen years ago. "This time, it's really scary because there is smoke," he said. "I really hope we can bring this fire under control."

The challenge is compounded by weeks of unusually hot, dry weather. Stéphanie Ernoux of the Crisis Centre noted that very little rain is forecast, and the drought has left vegetation severely parched. "It would need to rain for several days, not too intense, but continuous," she said, "to lessen the effect of drought."

Drone footage from the area shows thick smoke hanging in the air, with fields and forests under threat. Officials say the situation remains uncertain and are urging continued caution as the firefighting operation enters its next phase.