Major fire in the Hohes Venn: Around 600 residents must be evacuated in Belgium

Heat wave fuels the spread

The heat wave that has gripped Belgium this week is further aggravating the situation. On Friday, widespread temperatures around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) were recorded, the Spanish-language report continued. The combination of extreme dryness, high temperatures, and wind is significantly favoring the spread of the fire.

Residents of the neighboring German town of Monschau were also made aware of the situation, according to consistent reports. Local authorities warned across the border of the spreading smoke and the possible extension of the fire onto German territory. However, according to the information available, no formal German evacuation order has been issued.

Impact on the German side

No one has been injured according to reports so far, the municipalities said. The evacuees have been accommodated in assembly points and with family or acquaintances. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area widely and to follow the instructions of the emergency services.

The weather forecast offers the rescue services no immediate all-clear: temperatures near the 30-degree mark are also expected in the region in the coming days, with no significant rain in sight. This means the risk of forest fires in the Belgian Ardennes and in the Hohes Venn remains at a critical level.

Vulnerable highland moor as fire source

The Hohes Venn is the largest highland moor in Northwestern Europe and lies at an elevation of about 600 meters. It is known for its sensitive vegetation of peat mosses, cotton grasses, and birch forests. Fires in this terrain can ignite the peat deep into the ground and continue to smolder for days or weeks, making firefighting particularly laborious.

Authorities set up a telephone hotline for concerned residents and updated information via the municipal websites. The fire service announced that firefighting efforts would continue over the weekend and that the situation would be reassessed depending on weather developments.

Coordination of emergency services

At the EU level, the area has been designated as a Natura 2000 protected area for years. The consequences of an extensive moor fire for local biodiversity and the water balance will only be fully assessable after the fire is over, according to environmental organizations.

The civil protection authorities of the Province of Liège are coordinating operations together with the police, the rescue service, and the municipal administrations. According to available reports, Belgium's military administration also offered logistical support, such as for the transport of firefighting water to hard-to-reach areas.