Europe is in another difficult wildfire crisis as large fires burn in several countries. Belgium is currently fighting its biggest wildfire on record in the High Fens nature reserve near the German border and Greece and France are struggling to cope with serious fires.
The fire has burned more than 3,000 hectares in the High Fens area of Belgium. It began Friday and quickly grew into one of the country’s largest wildfires on record. The flames were spreading to Germany at one point and fears the fire could reach the border. Rain and cooler weather later helped slow the spread, but firefighters said the threat did not go away completely.
Farms, peatland and open countryside are found in the High Fens. The dry conditions have made firefighting very difficult. Peat can continue burning below the surface even after fire appears to be extinguished. This means firefighters will need to stay up and watch the area for a long time to prevent a fire from re-starting.
Hundreds of firefighters have been working to control the fire and helicopters have helped Belgium. Teams from neighbouring countries have also helped Belgium. Farmers have brought tractors and other equipment to the scene to help create firebreaks and slow the spread of the flames.
Greece Faces Deadly Fires as France Battles Fresh Blazes
Greece has its own serious wildfire problem. On Salamina island, near Athens, two people have died after fires spread through areas affected by strong winds and dry weather. Emergency teams evacuated around 500 people and there was no emergency management for buildings.
Another fire broke out near Athens International Airport. Emergency crews were able to contain that fire, but the incident did show how quickly new fires can form in today’s weather.
Greek firefighters have been battling fires in many parts of the country as temperatures are so high and vegetation is so dry. Firefighters have been assisted by aircraft to cut off the flames and protect houses and other buildings.
France is also dealing with another difficult wildfire season. A major fire in the Landes region was brought under control after threatening large areas, and the government announced financial assistance for communities affected by recent fires. France has already seen several major wildfires this summer, with thousands of people forced to leave their homes in some areas.
Because Europe has had such a hot and dry summer, forests, grasslands and other vegetation are extremely dry. When a fire starts, strong winds can make it tough for firefighters to put out the flames.
Of course, the crisis is not limited to Belgium, Greece and France. Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Germany and other European countries have also reported serious wildfires this summer. In Spain, a soldier died fighting a wildfire, and Croatia has also seen fires in places to which people have fled.
The magnitude of the fires also has led European countries to share firefighting capabilities. There are aircraft, helicopters and emergency teams on hand to help countries facing the most serious fires. The European Union is even putting its civil protection system in place to help affected nations.
The current wildfire crisis is also bringing renewed attention to climate change. Scientists have warned that rising temperatures are making heatwaves more frequent and intense. More hot weather can dry out forests and vegetation, which can make wildfires spread more easily. Europe is warming faster than the global average.
The immediate priority for people living in affected areas is safety, they say. Some communities were evacuated and forests and other high-risk areas were restricted. Emergency services are also advising families to follow evacuation orders and not go into areas affected by fires.
In Belgium, recent rain has given firefighters a little relief and the blaze has been stopped short of the German border for now. However, officials have warned that the situation can change quickly depending on the weather.
But the fight is far from over in Europe. Firefighters are still battling the heat, humidity, and fire as governments fight to keep communities, forests and essential infrastructure safe. Hot and dry weather is still affecting parts of the continent and authorities are on high alert for new fires.
The latest events show how quickly a wildfire in one part of Europe can become a regional emergency. Belgium’s fire near Germany, deadly fires in Greece and fresh outbreaks in France are all part of a wider summer crisis that has put enormous pressure on emergency services across the continent.
