Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Belgium's biggest wildfire burns 3,000 hectares, advances toward German border
A big fire is burning in Belgium, a country in Europe.
It is the biggest fire Belgium has ever had.
The fire has burned 3,000 hectares of land, which is a very large area.
It started on Friday in a nature reserve called the High Fens.
The fire is moving toward the border with Germany.
Firefighters from Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg are working to stop it.
Helicopters from the Netherlands and planes from the European Union are helping too.
Some people had to leave their homes, and they cannot go back yet.
The hot, dry weather made the fire spread quickly.
Scientists say climate change makes this kind of weather more likely.
Belgium's largest-ever wildfire has burned 3,000 hectares in the High Fens nature reserve near Waimes.
The fire, burning since Friday, is advancing toward the German border, with the defensive line holding.
Firefighters from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the army, farmers, and Dutch helicopter crews are battling the blaze.
The EU deployed three helicopters and two water bombing aircraft after Belgium requested emergency reinforcements.
Two people died in fires on the Greek island of Salamina, while a blaze in Aragon, Spain destroyed 16,600 hectares.
- Who
- Belgian and international firefighters, including Dutch helicopter crews, the Belgian army, farmers, and EU reinforcements.
- What
- Belgium's biggest wildfire on record burned 3,000 hectares in the High Fens and advanced toward the German border.
- When
- Burning since Friday; reported on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
- Where
- High Fens (Hautes Fagnes) nature reserve near Waimes, eastern Belgium, near the German border.
- Why
- Successive heatwaves and drought left vegetation tinder-dry, conditions scientists say are made more likely by human-caused climate change.
- Area burned
- 3,000 hectares
- Location
- High Fens (Hautes Fagnes) nature reserve near Waimes, Belgium
- Started
- Friday (August 14, 2026)
- Status
- Advancing toward German border; defensive line holding
- EU reinforcements
- Three helicopters and two water bombing aircraft
- Record
- Largest wildfire on record in Belgium; more than double the 2011 blaze (~1,400 hectares)
- Other European fires
- Two deaths on Greek island of Salamina; 16,600 hectares destroyed in Aragon, Spain