Belgian Firefighters Seek Final Encirclement of High Fens Blaze as Cross-Border Smoke Impacts Germany
Rain aids ground operations but hampers aerial support; German towns evacuated as smoke drifts eastward
Belgian firefighters are intensifying efforts to fully encircle the High Fens wildfire, one of the largest in the nation’s history, as weather conditions present a complex mix of relief and obstruction. While rain and cooler temperatures have assisted ground crews, strong winds and precipitation have significantly hampered aerial waterbombing operations necessary for the most difficult sections of the blaze. The fire has consumed approximately 3,000 hectares within the High Fens nature reserve, an area characterised by boggy peatlands and pine forests that are largely inaccessible to large machinery.
Regional government spokesman Niolas Yernaux stated on Tuesday that crews were working to achieve a critical link-up between the eastern and northern fronts of the fire. Describing the situation in accessible areas as "under control and contained," Yernaux noted that the remaining uncontained front stretches towards the German border. This section, located roughly 2.3 kilometres from the frontier, remains a primary concern due to its reliance on air support, which is currently delayed by adverse wind conditions.
The proximity of the fire to the German border has triggered immediate cross-border responses. Residents in the town of Monschau have been evacuated due to smoke hazards, with the blaze situated approximately 1.5 miles from the boundary. Monschau fire service spokesman Tobias Schnell confirmed that 170 personnel are operating in three-shift rotations, with authorities anticipating the operation will continue for several more days. Water tanks and equipment have been pre-positioned in the fire’s potential path should winds shift direction.
Smoke from the blaze has drifted eastwards, affecting air quality in major German cities including Cologne and Wuppertal. Local authorities have warned residents to keep doors and windows closed, citing potential health risks from the smoke. Meanwhile, in the Belgian municipality of Waimes, villagers in Sourbrodt began returning to their homes on Monday evening as the immediate threat subsided. However, officials have urged continued caution and limited travel, noting that emergency services operations remain a priority. Two villages in the Bütgenbach municipality remain evacuated as conditions are not yet deemed safe.
In a separate policy development, the Wallonia Agriculture Ministry announced it is reviewing compensation for farmers who volunteered to assist in firefighting efforts. The review, confirmed by Agriculture Minister Anne-Catherine Dalcq’s office, addresses both the substance and legal feasibility of such payments. This move follows an appeal by Marc Gilbert, president of the Royal Federation of Belgian Firefighters, who highlighted the critical role farmers played in preventing the situation from worsening and demanded reciprocity for equipment damage incurred during the response.
