A massive wildfire in Belgium continued to burn uncontrollably, with firefighters facing challenges despite cooler weather and rain. At the same time, Greece dealt with a fire near Athens’ main airport.
The Belgian wildfire was predicted to persist for months, especially in peaty soil, and could sporadically reignite, stated a fire ranger. Europe is experiencing extreme heat and dryness, with climate change exacerbating the situation, according to recent findings.
King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his vacation to visit the emergency services battling the blaze in the eastern High Fens region, near the German border. The fire, which spread into a pine forest, has charred an estimated 30 square kilometers, leaving scorched trees and smoldering land.
Despite favorable winds preventing significant growth, the wildfire remained uncontained in inaccessible areas, as reported by the Wallonia region. Around 500 firefighters, supported by aircraft from Nordic countries and local police drones, continued their efforts following a cold front that brought overnight rain.
Local farmers assisted in providing water for firefighting, with helicopters dropping large water sacks over the affected areas while smoke rose from the forests.
Nicolas Yernaux, the Wallonia regional public services spokesperson, mentioned that despite overnight rains helping to contain the fire, some parts remained inaccessible and smoldering, with risks of flare-ups persisting.
A forest ranger explained to The Associated Press that the fire might continue underground for an extended period due to the peaty soil, potentially smoldering unseen for weeks or months before resurfacing.
Evacuation orders remained in place as hundreds of residents faced uncertainty, with concerns raised about the impact on wildlife in the affected areas.
In Greece, authorities swiftly extinguished a fire near the main airport, although investigations were ongoing following a deadly blaze on the island of Salamina. New wildfires emerged in different regions, including one near Athens, which was contained within half an hour.
Further, an elderly man in Greece was arrested on arson charges for allegedly setting fire to dried vegetation deliberately. The fire department noted a significant number of arrests related to fires, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced in the region.
