Belgium is facing a significant wildfire that continues to burn unchecked while Greece dealt with a fire close to the main airport in Athens. Europe is currently experiencing one of its hottest and driest summers on record, with climate change exacerbating the situation.
King Philippe of Belgium interrupted his summer break to visit emergency responders battling the wildfire in the eastern High Fens region, about eight kilometers from the German border. The fire has consumed approximately 30 square kilometers, leaving charred trees and smoldering terrain. Despite cooler weather and rain, the fire has spread into a pine forest.
Firefighters, aided by aircraft from Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands, along with local police and drones, have been working tirelessly to contain the blaze. Nicolas Yernaux, the spokesperson for the Wallonia regional public services, mentioned that while the overnight rain helped control the fire in some areas, it did not significantly impact the heart of the blaze.
In Greece, investigators from the fire department are assessing the aftermath of a deadly wildfire on the island of Salamina, which claimed two lives and destroyed homes. Additional wildfires erupted, including one in Spata, east of Athens, near the main airport, which was swiftly contained. Authorities arrested an 80-year-old man in Kavala for allegedly starting a fire deliberately.
In France, a fire in the Landes region has been brought under control after four days of intense firefighting. Approximately half of the evacuated residents have been allowed to return home as temperatures start to decrease following a prolonged heatwave.
Despite these efforts, precautionary evacuation orders remain in place for hundreds of residents in affected areas. The ongoing extreme weather conditions underscore the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the impact of wildfires across Europe.