In Belgium, a significant wildfire raged unchecked on Monday despite cooler temperatures and rain that provided some relief to firefighters. The fire, located in eastern High Fens near the German border, could persist for months below the surface in peaty soil and sporadically reignite, as per a fire ranger’s assessment. Amid one of Europe’s hottest and driest summers on record, attributed to climate change, King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his summer break to visit emergency crews tackling the blaze covering an estimated 30 square kilometers in Liège province.
Although the fire did not exhibit significant growth, thanks to favorable winds, it remained uncontained in remote areas inaccessible to ground teams, according to an update from the Wallonia region. Approximately 500 firefighters, along with aerial support from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as drones from local police, were engaged in firefighting efforts following overnight rain triggered by a cold front.
Farmers contributed by providing water supplies to aid in firefighting operations. Despite progress in containing the fire where firefighters were stationed, inaccessible areas still posed challenges, with the blaze advancing towards Monschau in Germany, as mentioned by Nicolas Yernaux, a spokesperson for Wallonia regional public services. The fire, deeply entrenched in the peaty soil, could continue smoldering unseen underground for an extended period, potentially sparking new flames nearby.
Meanwhile, in Greece, a swift response by firefighters near Athens quickly extinguished a fire that erupted close to the main airport. On the island of Salamina, where a wildfire claimed two lives and destroyed homes, fire department investigators assessed the aftermath. In a separate incident in Spata, east of Athens, firefighting teams, supported by aerial resources, swiftly contained a new blaze. Authorities arrested an 80-year-old man in Kavala on arson charges for allegedly setting fire to dried vegetation deliberately.
In southwestern France, a fire in the Landes region, which had forced evacuation of over 600 residents during a prolonged heatwave, was brought under control after four days of intense firefighting efforts. The gradual drop in temperatures brought relief to the region. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu pledged a 12 million-euro aid package to assist in rebuilding homes and supporting affected businesses in the hardest-hit regions.
In Croatia, authorities detained four individuals suspected of intentionally starting multiple fires near Zadar, a popular tourism destination. The suspects, apprehended following a tip-off, were questioned by authorities for allegedly endangering lives and property. Investigations are ongoing to assess the extent of the damage caused by the fires.
The ongoing wildfires across Europe underscore the severe impact of the scorching summer conditions, necessitating coordinated efforts to combat and prevent further blazes in the region.
