Belgium is battling the largest wildfire in its recorded history, with about 3,000 hectares burned in the High Fens nature reserve in the east of the country as firefighters work to prevent the flames from reaching the German border.

The fire began on Friday and has spread rapidly through dry heathland and peat-rich terrain. More than 250 emergency personnel, including Belgian and German firefighters, military and civil protection units, have been involved in the response, with farmers also providing equipment and water.

The most difficult section of the operation is along the fire front moving towards Germany. Belgian authorities are relying on cooler and more humid weather expected to help slow the spread, while defensive lines around evacuated villages were reported to be holding on Sunday.

Several villages have been evacuated, with the Associated Press reporting that about 600 residents were moved from areas near the fire. Smoke has also affected communities on the German side of the border, where authorities have issued advice for some residents to leave areas close to the affected zone.

No homes had been directly affected as of Sunday, although the fire remained close to populated areas and smoke levels were significant. The cause of the blaze has not been established.

Belgium has activated the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism to obtain additional aerial support. The EU sent helicopters and water-bomber aircraft after Belgium requested emergency assistance, while the bloc's 2026 wildfire response system has aircraft and helicopters available for deployment when national resources are overwhelmed.

The High Fens fire has already surpassed the previous major Belgian wildfire record from 2011, when about 1,400 hectares were burned. The current blaze is unfolding during another period of exceptionally hot and dry weather across Europe, conditions that can accelerate the spread and persistence of wildfires.