Belgium battles largest forest fire in country’s modern history

Belgium is continuing to battle the largest forest fire in the country’s modern history.

The blaze has engulfed around 3,000 hectares of the High Fens nature reserve near the German border since August 14, Caliber.Az reports, citing POLITICO.

More than 250 firefighters and emergency responders battled the fire overnight. On August 16, however, rescue teams were relying heavily on aerial support in an effort to bring the flames under control.

Belgian authorities have requested assistance from European countries. Helicopters from the Belgian Federal Police and Dutch aircraft were already operating over the affected area on the morning of August 16, repeatedly collecting water from a nearby lake.

Additional helicopters from the Czech Republic and Sweden are expected to join the operation later. Belgium has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to receive international assistance.

According to European Commissioner for preparedness and crisis management Hadja Lahbib, Germany and Norway may also provide aerial support.

“I would also like to thank our European partners for the support they are providing,” Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote on X.

Des incendies touchent les Hautes Fagnes depuis vendredi. Je tiens à saluer le travail remarquable de toutes les équipes mobilisées sur le terrain, venues des quatre coins du pays pour combattre les flammes. Merci également à nos partenaires européens pour l’aide qu’ils nous…

— Bart De Wever (@Bart_DeWever) August 16, 2026

The fire is spreading through fragile peatlands and pine forests in the High Fens reserve. The area was previously hit by large-scale fires during a similar period of heat and drought in 1911.

The current blaze has become Belgium’s largest since then. No homes have been damaged, although residents of two villages have been evacuated, and authorities say the fire remains out of control.

By Jeyhun Aghazada