Belgium's worst-ever wildfire: 2,700 hectares burnt, 600 out of their homes
The fire burning in the Hoge Venen has become the largest wildfire in Belgian history. More than 2,700 hectares of moorland and forest have burnt, the fire is still not under control, and it has been advancing at between five and ten kilometres per hour.
Around 600 people have been evacuated. Seventeen streets in Sourbrodt were cleared, affecting roughly 500 residents, and seven streets in Butgenbach, affecting about 100. Evacuees are being received at the sports centre in Malmedy. A Kazou youth camp in the area was cut short and the children moved out.
A provincial disaster plan is in force. Firefighting aircraft and helicopters have arrived from the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries, and crews from Limburg reported being encircled by flames at one point and forced to withdraw.
If you live in the wider area but outside the evacuated streets, stay indoors with windows and doors closed. Do not travel to the Hoge Venen, the Eupen or Gileppe reservoirs, or the surrounding roads — several are closed and sightseers block access for emergency vehicles.
The fire has now moved close enough to the German border that residents around Monschau in North Rhine-Westphalia have been advised to prepare to leave.
Smoke is affecting air quality across a much wider area than the fire itself. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should limit time outdoors.
Sources: VRT NWS, De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws, De Morgen.