Belgian High Fens wildfire spreads 30 sq km, Greece tames airport blaze

Belgian High Fens wildfire spreads 30 sq km, Greece tames airport blaze

Climate

AP News reported that on August 17, the wildfire raging in Belgium's High Fens nature reserve had burned roughly 30 square kilometres near the German border, and that Greek firefighters extinguished a fast-moving blaze near Athens' main airport within half an hour. The fire, first reported on August 15, forced the evacuation of two villages in the High Fens and prompted the Wallonia regional authorities to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, bringing in aircraft from Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Officials described it as the country's largest blaze in recent years, with more than 250 firefighters battling the 3,000-hectare inferno.

Actors

Nicolas Yernaux Wallonia regional authorities Gregory Melotte RTBF Sweden Czech Republic Netherlands Belgium

Locations

High Fens, Belgium Wallonia, Belgium Sweden Czech Republic Netherlands

Articles

August 17, 2026
2 total
Belgian wildfire near German border burns 30 sq km as Greece quickly contains airport blaze
Belgian wildfire near German border burns 30 sq km as Greece quickly contains airport blaze

AP News • 17 Aug 16:44

A massive fire in Belgium's High Fens has scorched about 30 square kilometres and threatens the German border, while Greek firefighters extinguished a fast-moving blaze near Athens' main airport within half an hour.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Belgium fights record wildfire near German border, prompting evacuations
Belgium fights record wildfire near German border, prompting evacuations

dw.com • 17 Aug 02:17

A wildfire in Belgium's High Fens nature reserve has burned about 2,700 hectares, leading to evacuations in both Belgium and the nearby German town of Monschau.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
August 16, 2026
3 total
Wildfires scorch Belgium's High Fens and Greek island, killing two
Wildfires scorch Belgium's High Fens and Greek island, killing two

NBC News • 16 Aug 19:48

A massive blaze in Belgium's High Fens nature reserve and a fast-moving fire on Greece's Salamina island have prompted large emergency responses, with two fatalities reported on the Greek island.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
Wildfires Rage Across Belgium, Greece and Other Parts of Europe
Wildfires Rage Across Belgium, Greece and Other Parts of Europe

AP News • 16 Aug 19:17

A massive blaze in Belgium's High Fens and a deadly fire on Greece's Salamina island highlight a wave of wildfires fueled by hot, dry conditions across Europe.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center
Belgium Calls on EU Air Units to Combat Record-Breaking High Fens Wildfire
Belgium Calls on EU Air Units to Combat Record-Breaking High Fens Wildfire

politico.eu • 16 Aug 14:50

More than 250 firefighters are battling a 3,000-hectare blaze in the High Fens nature reserve, while Belgium has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to bring in aircraft from several member states.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
August 15, 2026
1 total
Wildfire Engulfs Belgium's High Fens Nature Reserve, Prompting Evacuations
Wildfire Engulfs Belgium's High Fens Nature Reserve, Prompting Evacuations

BBC • 15 Aug 17:47

A large blaze in Belgium's High Fens reserve forced evacuations of two villages and drew international aerial support, with officials calling it the country's biggest fire in recent years.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center

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