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

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

Climat

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.

Acteurs

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

Lieux

High Fens, Belgium Wallonia, Belgium Sweden Czech Republic Netherlands

Articles

17 août 2026
2 au total
Belgian wildfire approaches Germany as Greece probes deadly blaze
Belgian wildfire approaches Germany as Greece probes deadly blaze

AP News • 17 août 16h44

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.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 10% Centre
Hundreds flee as Belgium battles wildfire at German border
Hundreds flee as Belgium battles wildfire at German border

dw.com • 17 août 02h17

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.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 8% Centre
16 août 2026
3 au total
Firefighters battle massive wildfires in Belgium and Greece as 2 die on an island near Athens
Firefighters battle massive wildfires in Belgium and Greece as 2 die on an island near Athens

NBC News • 16 août 19h48

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.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 8% Centre
Firefighters battle wildfires in Belgium's High Fens and Greek island
Firefighters battle wildfires in Belgium's High Fens and Greek island

AP News • 16 août 19h17

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.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 9% Centre
Belgium faces largest wildfire on record, turns to Europe for air support
Belgium faces largest wildfire on record, turns to Europe for air support

politico.eu • 16 août 14h50

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.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 8% Centre
15 août 2026
1 au total
Belgian firefighters battle blaze tearing through nature reserve
Belgian firefighters battle blaze tearing through nature reserve

BBC • 15 août 17h47

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.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 9% Centre

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