Belgium's fire of the century now 'under control'
About 350 firefighters and farmers kept the High Fens blaze from spreading again after it burned 3,000 hectares, officials said.
- Belgium's largest wildfire in a century has been brought "under control" after a seven-day fight involving hundreds of firefighters in the High Fens nature reserve, local officials confirmed Thursday.
- The High Fens' terrain of peat bogs and heath complicated firefighting efforts, creating conditions for a "zombie fire" that burns underground and requires months of soaking to prevent reignition.
- Around 350 firefighters and emergency personnel remain deployed in the effort since last week, while authorities rescued a black grouse—an endangered species with only 14 males remaining in Belgium—from the fire zone Thursday.
- Opposition parties criticized the government's lack of aerial firefighting resources, while Interior Minister Bernard Quintin defended the response Thursday, citing investments in ground-based equipment and incoming water-bombing helicopters.
- Regional authorities expect to monitor the smoldering ground until autumn as German firefighting contingents withdraw Thursday, leaving Belgian crews to continue operations amid Europe's historically hot summer.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Our country has also been hit by a severe wildfire in the High Fens. More than 4,200 football fields worth of peatland has been destroyed. Follow all updates in this live blog.
The fire ravaged some 3000 hectares and mobilized about 500 firefighters.
News quickly and reliably.
Radio France Internationale
Belgium's fire of the century now 'under control'
"At this stage, the fire is now under control in its entirety and should no longer spread," barring a major change in weather conditions or other unforeseen factors, said the local governor's office. The High Fens fire mushroomed over the weekend to half the size of Manhattan -- 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) -- charring a huge expanse of peatland, pine trees and hiking trails. Firefighters wrestled "numerous flare-ups" under control overnight, wo…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
