Belgian wildfire near German border burns 30 sq km as Greece quickly contains airport blaze

A wildfire in the High Fens region of eastern Belgium has burned an estimated 30 square kilometres, spreading toward the German border near Monschau. The fire, which ignited on Sunday in a pine forest, remains uncontrolled in inaccessible areas despite cooler weather and overnight rain that helped contain its spread. About 500 firefighters, supported by aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, are battling the blaze, and local police are using drones to monitor it.

"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," said Nicolas Yernaux, spokesperson for the Wallonia regional public services.

Experts warned that the peat-rich soil could allow the fire to smolder underground for weeks or months before re-igniting. A forest ranger noted that the fire has penetrated the peat layer and could flare up again, while a veterinarian involved in animal rescue said smaller wildlife may have perished in the peat bogs. Precautionary evacuations remain in place for hundreds of residents.

In Greece, investigators examined the site of a deadly blaze on Salamina island that killed two people and injured nine. A separate fire that erupted near Athens' international airport was contained within 30 minutes by dozens of firefighters, two water-dropping planes and two helicopters. Authorities also arrested an 80-year-old man in Kavala on arson charges, part of more than 300 fire-related arrests in Greece since the start of the year.

Other European incidents included a fire in southwestern France's Landes region, now under control after four days of fighting, and the arrest of four suspects in Croatia for allegedly starting multiple fires around the coastal town of Zadar.