Overview
- The blaze began late last week and exploded in size over the weekend, growing from roughly 80 hectares on Friday to about 3,000 hectares by early Sunday.
- Authorities ordered about 600 people from Waimes and Bütgenbach to evacuate as heavy smoke blanketed border areas and German towns warned residents to take precautions.
- Belgium mobilised more than 250 emergency personnel plus army units and local farmers, and activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to bring water‑bombers and helicopters from several countries.
- On Monday, rainfall and favourable winds helped crews hold and contain fire lines where they can safely operate, but large sections continue to burn in inaccessible peat bogs and the cause remains unknown.
- Experts warn peatland fires are hard to extinguish and say the incident reflects a pattern of hotter, drier summers across Europe that is increasing extreme wildfire risk.