In Belgium, a massive wildfire continued to burn uncontrollably on Monday, despite more favorable weather conditions aiding firefighters. At the same time, in Greece, a fire briefly erupted near the primary airport on the outskirts of Athens.
The fire in Belgium, situated in peaty soil, may persist for months underground and sporadically reignite, as stated by a fire ranger. Europe is experiencing one of its hottest and driest summers on record, attributed to climate change according to recent research.
King Philippe of Belgium paused his summer vacation to visit the emergency crews combating the wildfire in the eastern High Fens region. The blaze, which has consumed around 30 square kilometers in Liège province, has left charred trees and smoldering terrain in its wake.
Although the fire did not significantly expand, it remained uncontained in inaccessible areas, as per an update from the Wallonia region. Over 500 firefighters, assisted by aircraft from several countries and local police drones, continued their efforts after a cold front brought rain overnight.
Farmers contributed by providing water for firefighting operations, while helicopters dropped water sacks over the flames. Despite the overnight rain containment, a spokesperson for Wallonia regional services mentioned that the fire may persist underground for an extended period due to the peaty soil.
In Greece, fire department investigators inspected the aftermath of a deadly wildfire on the island of Salamina, which claimed two lives and destroyed multiple homes. The country also faced new wildfire outbreaks, with firefighters swiftly containing a fire in Spata, near the main airport in Athens.
Additionally, an 80-year-old man was arrested in Kavala on arson charges for allegedly starting a fire deliberately. In France, a fire in the Landes region was brought under control after residents were evacuated due to extreme heat, permitting some to return home.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced financial aid to the regions most affected by wildfires to support rebuilding efforts. Meanwhile, in Croatia, four individuals were detained on suspicion of starting multiple fires near Zadar, a popular tourist destination on the Adriatic coast.