Belgium races to tame huge wildfire 'spreading towards Germany'

No Comment Video. Belgium races to tame huge wildfire 'spreading towards Germany' Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 17/08/2026 - 9:09 GMT+2 Firefighters battle the advancing flames in eastern Belgium as thick smoke and difficult terrain complicate efforts to contain the blaze. Firefighters are working to contain a huge wildfire in Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve, with thick smoke covering the area near the German border. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Footage shows crews advancing through the smoke, spraying water onto burning and smouldering ground and cutting down trees to slow the fire’s spread. Tankers and fire engines are also being deployed as firefighters tackle flames in the difficult terrain. The blaze has already scorched around 30 square kilometres, making it one of Belgium’s worst wildfires in recent history. Shifting winds have pushed the fire eastwards towards Germany, while around 600 residents have been evacuated from nearby communities. Belgium has also received international firefighting support, including water-bombing aircraft and helicopters, as crews continue efforts to bring the blaze under control. Wildfires Belgium firefighters Top stories Now playing Next Belgium races to tame huge wildfire 'spreading towards Germany' Now playing Next World’s Ugliest Dog contest crowns its 2026 winner Now playing Next Corgis race, bark and dress up at quirky competition in Vilnius Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 17th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next 2026 Lima Grand Prix Day 3: A golden finish in Peru Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 16th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Taliban mark five-year anniversary of regaining power in Afghanistan Now playing Next After Trump warning, Tehran says Strait of Hormuz 'will remain Iranian Now playing Next Wildfires devastate Europe as thousands forced to flee homes Now playing Next Ukraine strikes rocket and space centre in Russia's Samara Now playing Next Deceased Cambridge academic's family decries 'campaign of harassment' Now playing Next Morocco prevents hundreds of migrants from crossing into Spain's Ceuta Now playing Next Thieves bypass security to steal four Renaissance artworks from Sicily museum Now playing Next A race of short legs and big personalities: corgis take over Vilnius Now playing Next Ukraine launches large-scale drone attack on Russian military and energy infrastructure Now playing Next Europe continues to battle wildfires as Belgium sees biggest blaze in recorded history ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Europe’s tallest Virgin Mary statue unveiled in Polish village No Comment Watch: Chaos as powerful earthquake hits Indonesia No Comment Croatia wildfire near Omiš injures residents and disrupts holiday travel No Comment War in Ukraine: Deadly Russian air raid on Kramatorsk leaves 1 dead and 17 wounded Europe News Police apologise after Al-Fayed sex abuse complainants' identity breach Europe News Morocco prevents hundreds of migrants from crossing into Spain's Ceuta Europe News At least 12 people killed in Polish tourist bus crash in Hungary Sport Lima Grand Prix 2026: Breakthrough victories on Day Two Europe News Deceased Cambridge academic Jason Arday's family decries 'campaign of harassment' against him Israel Israeli strikes that killed 11 send 'clear message' on negotiations, says Lebanese president Europe News Wildfires continue to devastate Europe as thousands are forced to flee their homes Europe News Ukraine strikes rocket and space centre in Russia's Samara ADVERTISEMENT Indonesia Powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia, killing at least 40 Sport Judo World Tour: A day of firsts at the Lima Grand Prix Iran After Trump comment on declaring Strait of Hormuz US territory, Tehran says it 'will remain Iranian' Europe News Europe's tallest Virgin Mary statue rises in Polish village World News Mysterious elephant deaths in Kenya leave experts searching for answers Europe News EU pushes back as US revives trade pressure on bloc and accuses Brussels of enabling China to evade tariffs Culture news Italian police recover stolen Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse artworks worth millions Culture news The rise of 'conscious' festivals, where music, spirituality and nature meet ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT