The largest natural fire in Belgium's history: 2,700 hectares of land burned

According to the news in the Belgian press, the fire that started on Friday in Hautes Fagnes, the country's largest nature reserve, located in the province of Liege, has spread.

While many fire brigades from different parts of the country were dispatched to the region, soldiers, police and farmers also helped fight the fire.

Following the rapid growth of the fire, Belgium activated the European Union (EU) Civil Protection Mechanism, and in this context, 3 helicopters and 2 fire extinguishing planes were dispatched to the region.

According to the latest data, the fire affected an area of ​​2,700 hectares.

The fire, which is still uncontrolled, has become the largest fire in the history of Belgium, leaving behind the fire in 2011, which damaged approximately 1400 hectares of land.

CALL FOR EVACUATION IN WAIMES

As the fire approached residential areas, residents of Sourbrodt and some areas of Bütgenbach in the Waimes municipality were called to evacuate their homes as a precaution.

A nearby gym was put into use to accommodate evacuees, while those in the area were advised to keep their doors and windows closed.

Some sections of the highways in the region are closed to traffic due to the fire.