Greek island wildfire kills two people as helicopters called in to tackle Belgium forest blaze

Belgium is battling its largest wildfire on record, which began Friday in the High Fens nature reserve and has spread over 27 square kilometers. The blaze is moving east towards the German border, prompting the evacuation of approximately 600 residents from the Belgian towns of Waimes and Butgenbach. Firefighters from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands are working to contain the fire. In Germany, the town of Monschau is about 3 kilometers from the fire and has advised residents in three districts to temporarily leave due to smoke. The fire follows a period of severe heat and drought in Belgium, consistent with ongoing heatwaves across Europe.

Belgium is battling its largest modern-day wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve near the German border. The blaze, which began on Friday for unknown reasons, has rapidly expanded from 80 hectares to an estimated 3,000 hectares by Sunday morning. Over 250 firefighters and emergency personnel are working to contain the fire, which is proving challenging due to the difficult terrain of peatlands and pine forests. Air support is crucial in tackling the out-of-control fire. Thick smoke has led to the evacuation of residents from parts of two nearby villages, though no homes have been damaged. This wildfire is the largest in the area since 1911, when similar heatwave and drought conditions occurred.

Two people have died in wildfires on the Greek island of Salamis, where hundreds have been ordered to evacuate. Simultaneously, Belgium is battling its largest wildfire in over a century in the High Fens nature reserve, which has burned approximately 7,400 acres and is nearing the German border. Around 600 residents and tourists in Waimes and Bütgenbach were evacuated due to the blaze, which is being fought by over 250 firefighters and emergency staff, including international support from Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Farmers are also assisting by using tractors to supply water. These events are occurring amidst a wave of European wildfires exacerbated by intense heat.