A wildfire in Belgium's largest nature reserve has forced evacuations and prompted international aid as officials describe it as the country's worst in recent history.

Firefighters are battling an out-of-control wildfire that has consumed one-third of Belgium's High Fens nature reserve. The blaze, which began on Friday near the eastern border with Germany, has forced the evacuation of two nearby villages as officials work to prevent the fire from reaching homes.

International response and containment efforts

Belgium has activated the European Union's civil protection mechanism to secure reinforcements. European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib confirmed that two Swedish water-bombing aircraft, along with one helicopter each from the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, were deployed to assist local crews. Authorities noted that the park's terrain, characterized by bog-like territory, moorland, and forests, has hindered firefighting efforts. Spokesman Nicolas Yernaux stated that crews have allowed some heathland to burn because the area is inaccessible, focusing instead on protecting residential areas.

Wildfires across Europe

The Belgian fire is part of a broader series of wildfires affecting Europe, including a blaze in the Landes region of south-western France that forced 650 residents to evacuate. Forest fires have also been reported in Croatia, Spain, and Serbia since Friday. These events follow a summer of extreme heat, with the EU's Copernicus climate monitoring service reporting that western Europe experienced its hottest June-to-July period on record.