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High Fens wildfire threatens German border and forces evacuations
A massive wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve has become one of the largest in Belgium's history, consuming approximately 3,000 hectares of forest. The blaze, which began on Friday, is moving toward the German border, prompting emergency responses in both countries.
In Germany, authorities in Monschau ordered the immediate evacuation of residents on two specific streets due to smoke and shifting wind directions. The flames have reportedly reached within 300 meters of homes in the region. Additionally, the community of Kelmis has faced evacuation orders.
Firefighting operations are being complicated by the difficult terrain of the nature reserve, including peat bogs and wooden walkways that hinder heavy vehicle access. Consequently, aerial support has been critical. The international response includes water-bombing aircraft and helicopters from Sweden, the Netherlands, and Belgium, alongside firefighters from Germany and Luxembourg. Local farmers have also assisted by using tractors to transport water to emergency supply points.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Firefighting efforts involve personnel from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden. www.iefimerida.gr · www.protothema.gr · www.hsbnoticias.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The fire has burned approximately 3,000 hectares (30,000 acres) of forest. www.iefimerida.gr · www.protothema.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.hsbnoticias.com · news.yam.md
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The flames reached within 300 meters of homes in Germany. www.iefimerida.gr
- [● 4 SOURCES] The wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve is one of the worst in Belgium's history. www.iefimerida.gr · www.protothema.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.hsbnoticias.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The community of Kelmis was ordered to evacuate. www.thestival.gr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Residents in two specific streets in Monschau, Germany, were ordered to evacuate immediately. www.iefimerida.gr · www.protothema.gr · www.thestival.gr · www.hsbnoticias.com