A wildfire burning across Belgium's High Fens region had not spread further by Tuesday morning, 19 August 2025, but new hotspots continued to emerge as firefighters raced to fully encircle the blaze, according to local authorities. The burned area stood at approximately 3,000 hectares, with the fire posing a potential cross-border threat to coniferous forests in Germany.

Situation on the Ground

Rain and higher humidity helped slow the fire's advance overnight but were insufficient to extinguish it. Nicolas Yernaux, spokesperson for the Public Service of Wallonia (SPW), confirmed that firefighters were reinforcing defensive lines on the northern and eastern fronts by clearing combustible material, creating firebreaks, and felling trees.

Yernaux described Tuesday as potentially decisive in fully encircling the fire, but warned that stronger winds could push the blaze past defensive lines and into German territory. Burning peat in the area continued to release large quantities of gases, including carbon monoxide.

Firefighters Hospitalised

Two firefighters were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and taken to hospital. Both were reported to be in stable condition. The toxic emissions stem from smouldering peat, which burns at depth and is notoriously difficult to extinguish — a challenge that Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin acknowledged could persist for several weeks even after the fire is brought under control.

Aviation Support Grounded, Evacuees Partially Return

According to the office of the governor of Liege Province, firefighting operations continued throughout the night and the blaze remained contained. Nine aircraft were available to assist, but low cloud cover and poor visibility kept them grounded. They were expected to be deployed once conditions permitted safe operations.

Some residents who had been evacuated earlier were allowed to return home on Monday evening, while access restrictions remained in place across parts of the High Fens.

Cross-Border Impact and Political Response

Smoke from the wildfire crossed international borders. Authorities in neighbouring Luxembourg said the daily PM10 particulate limit was exceeded on Monday, while reports indicated the smoke plume had reached northeastern France.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives' Interior Committee is scheduled to hold an extraordinary meeting on Thursday, during which Minister Quintin will answer lawmakers' questions about the wildfire response.

Climate Warning from WWF

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Belgium described the wildfire as a significant warning in the context of climate change, calling for the restoration of damaged habitats to be made a national priority. The High Fens — a protected moorland and peat bog ecosystem — is particularly vulnerable to prolonged dry spells, which scientists have linked to shifting climate patterns across northwestern Europe.

With Tuesday's conditions set to test the defensive perimeter, authorities are watching wind forecasts closely as the operation enters what could be its most critical phase.