Monschau told to prepare to leave as the Belgian wildfire reaches the German border
Residents in and around Monschau in North Rhine-Westphalia have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation as the wildfire burning across the border in Belgium's Hoge Venen moves toward German territory.
The fire, now the largest in Belgian history, has consumed more than 2,700 hectares of moorland and forest and is still not under control. It has been spreading at between five and ten kilometres per hour, and Belgian crews are being supported by aircraft and helicopters sent from the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries.
On the German side the advice is precautionary rather than an evacuation order. Residents in the affected districts are asked to put documents, medication and essentials together so they could leave at short notice, to keep windows and doors closed against smoke, and to follow instructions from local emergency services rather than acting on rumour.
Several roads in the border area are closed, and the public is asked to stay away from the Hoge Venen and the area around the Eupen and Gileppe reservoirs entirely — including sightseers, who obstruct emergency access.
Air quality across the Eifel border region is affected well beyond the fire perimeter. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions should limit time outdoors while the smoke persists.
Source: tagesschau (16.08.2026).