In Belgium, a major wildfire continues to burn uncontrollably amid cooler weather and rain providing some relief for firefighters. The fire is expected to persist underground in peaty soil, occasionally reigniting, according to a fire ranger. Europe is experiencing one of its hottest and driest summers on record, attributed to climate change.
King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his summer break to visit the emergency crews battling the wildfire in the eastern High Fens region, approximately eight kilometers from the German border. The fire, which spread to a pine forest on Sunday, has scorched an estimated 30 square kilometers, leaving charred trees and smoldering ground.
Despite favorable winds limiting the fire’s growth, certain inaccessible areas remain out of control, as reported by the Wallonia region. Around 500 firefighters, supported by aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, along with local police drones, are combating the blaze following overnight rain.
Farmers are assisting by providing water for firefighting efforts, with helicopters dropping large volumes of water over the affected areas. A Wallonia regional public services spokesperson mentioned that underground fires could persist for months due to the peaty soil, potentially leading to sporadic flare-ups.
In Greece, a fire near the main airport in Athens was swiftly contained, while a separate incident on the island of Salamina resulted in casualties and property damage. Authorities arrested an 80-year-old man in Kavala on arson charges for allegedly starting fires intentionally. The fire department disclosed that over 300 fire-related arrests have been made in Greece this year.
In France, a wildfire in the Landes region has been brought under control after several days of intense firefighting, allowing evacuated residents to return home gradually. The French Prime Minister announced financial aid for the affected regions to aid in reconstruction efforts following extensive property damage.
In Croatia, authorities are investigating suspected arson cases involving multiple fires in the Zadar region. Four individuals were arrested and questioned for allegedly starting fires with the intent to cause harm and property damage. Police are assessing the full extent of the damage caused by these incidents.
