Belgium is currently facing one of its largest wildfires in history, with the fire spreading uncontrollably despite improved weather conditions and rain aiding firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, in Greece, a fire briefly erupted near the main airport on the outskirts of Athens.
The wildfire in Belgium, located in the eastern High Fens region, is expected to persist for an extended period due to the peaty soil, allowing it to smolder underground and occasionally reignite. This situation is exacerbated by Europe experiencing one of its hottest and driest summers on record, attributed to climate change.
King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his summer vacation to visit the emergency services battling the wildfire. The blaze, which has consumed around 30 square kilometers of land in Liège province, resulted in scorched trees and smoldering terrain.
Despite favorable winds preventing significant growth of the fire, inaccessible areas continued to remain beyond the control of ground crews. Over 500 firefighters, supported by aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as local police drones, worked tirelessly to combat the blaze following a cold front that brought overnight rain.
Farmers played a crucial role in supplying water to aid firefighting efforts, with helicopters dumping large volumes of water on the flames while smoke billowed from the affected forests. A forest ranger highlighted that the fire could persist underground for months due to the peaty soil, potentially leading to future flare-ups.
In Greece, a fatal wildfire on the island of Salamina claimed two lives and destroyed several homes. Additional wildfires erupted in different areas, including Spata near Athens, where rapid intervention by firefighters and aerial resources swiftly contained the blaze.
In France, a fire in the Landes region, which had forced the evacuation of over 600 residents during intense heat conditions, was under control after four days of intense firefighting efforts. The government pledged financial aid to assist in rebuilding affected areas and supporting impacted businesses.
Authorities in Croatia arrested four individuals suspected of deliberately starting multiple fires in the Zadar region, raising concerns about the safety of lives and property. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the suspected arson attacks.