Belgian Wildfire Burns 30 Sq Km Near German Border as Record European Heat Fuels Risk
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 17
Belgian Wildfire Burns 30 Sq Km Near German Border as Record European Heat Fuels Risk
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 17
Summary
500 firefighters backed by aircraft from four countries were still battling an out-of-control wildfire in eastern Belgium after it scorched about 30 square kilometers and pushed toward Germany, about 8 kilometers from the border.
Overnight rain and cooler weather slowed growth, but officials said the fire’s core remained largely untouched in inaccessible terrain and continued spreading east through the High Fens.
Peaty soil could keep the blaze smoldering underground for weeks or months, a forest ranger said, raising the risk of fresh flare-ups even after surface flames appear contained.
Hundreds of residents remained under precautionary evacuation orders as Europe endures one of its hottest, driest summers on record, conditions a recent study linked to climate change.
Elsewhere, Greece investigated a wildfire that killed 2 on Salamina, France said a 17-square-kilometer blaze in Landes was under control, and Croatia questioned 4 suspects over up to 10 fires.