A major wildfire in Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve remains out of control on Sunday, with more than 600 people evacuated and 11 volunteer firefighters from Luxembourg deployed to help tackle the flames.
The fire, which broke out on Friday, has already burned around 2,700 hectares of vegetation. More than 250 firefighters, police officers, civil protection personnel and military personnel are involved in the operation, supported by around 50 vehicles.
The blaze has also affected Luxembourg indirectly, with smoke reaching the Grand Duchy on Saturday evening.
According to meteorologist Jörg Kachelmann, the smoke could remain over Luxembourg until Monday afternoon.
Residents, particularly in northern Luxembourg, have reported reduced visibility and a strong smell of smoke.
Over the past few hours, we have received messages from numerous users reporting a strong smell of smoke in the air and slightly reduced visibility due to the smoke. Reports have come from various parts of the country, from Clervaux and Erpeldange to Steinsel.
Several municipalities, including Wiltz, have also issued official advice to keep doors and windows closed and to avoid outdoor activities if you suffer from respiratory problems.
In the afternoon, LU-Alert also sent out a warning about the smell of smoke caused by fires in Belgium as well as Germany.
Authorities have advised residents to keep windows and doors closed to prevent smoke from entering their homes. People with respiratory conditions, older people and children are advised to take particular precautions and avoid outdoor activities.
The fire itself does not pose a direct threat to Luxembourg. The smoke is being transported over the country by the wind, with the Oesling expected to be among the first areas to notice it.
Luxembourg has sent 11 volunteer firefighters and three water tenders to Belgium to support local crews.
The firefighters come from the fire and rescue centres in Frisange, Kehlen and Larochette. Their deployment is initially expected to last between 24 and 48 hours.
Interior Minister Léon Gloden agreed to provide the assistance following a request from Belgium.
The scale of the fire has prompted Belgium to activate the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
The EU has mobilised two firefighting aircraft from Sweden, one helicopter from the Czech Republic and two helicopters from the Netherlands.
The helicopters began operating on Sunday morning and are using water from Lake Robertville to fight the blaze. People at the lake have been asked to remain on the beach and stay out of the water while the helicopters collect water.
The Swedish firefighting aircraft are currently on standby because the helicopters' turbulence means they cannot safely operate in the same airspace at the same time.
The fire front is now less than three kilometres from the German border, prompting preparations for possible evacuations.
The city of Monschau in North Rhine-Westphalia has urged residents to prepare, with around 5,000 people in the surrounding area potentially affected.
The situation has meanwhile improved in the Hürtgenwald area of the Eifel. Around 1,800 residents who were evacuated from the Düren district of Gey overnight have been allowed to return home.
Some 1,600 firefighters remain deployed there. The fire has not yet been completely extinguished, but authorities say the situation has eased considerably, with visible flames remaining in just two locations.
The High Fens, or Hautes Fagnes in French and Hohes Venn in German, is a plateau in the northern Ardennes and part of the Eifel region.
The protected area stretches south and east of Eupen, between Malmedy, Monschau and Hürtgenwald, along the Belgian-German border.
The fire has triggered a wave of solidarity in Belgium, with authorities asking people not to block the 112 emergency number.
A dedicated information line, 1771, has also been activated for people seeking information.
