Pensioners flee Monschau as Belgian wildfire nears
A blaze in eastern Belgium forced the evacuation of about 30 people from the historic German town of Monschau, prompting concerns over an unprecedented wildfire threat.
About 30 residents were forced to leave their homes in the medieval town of Monschau on Sunday after a fast‑moving fire in Belgium threatened to cross the border. The evacuation took place in a community centre set up with stretcher beds for the displaced, including a retired couple and their two dogs.
Evacuation and personal stories
The 63‑year‑old former careworker said she and her husband, Ulrich, decided to leave voluntarily because the smoke was choking and they could not risk their pets. "The air was terrible, so we thought, 'let's do it'," she told reporters, adding that the dogs, Cleo and Kruemel, needed fresh air as well.
"I've never seen one like it," said the 68‑year‑old retired warehouse worker.
Another local, Petra Mertens, recalled the sky turning orange and the air turning black with smoke. "Everything was foggy, you couldn't open the window and it stank," she said, showing a photo of the glow that lingered over the town.
Fire front and response
Firefighters from both sides of the border are battling a blaze that has ripped through the High Fens nature reserve for four days, making eastern Belgium Europe’s most urgent fire front. German firefighters have been deployed to support their Belgian firefighters colleagues, but the scale of the blaze is unprecedented for the region.
Philipp Krueger, the fire chief in Monschau, warned that strong south‑westerly gusts forecast for Tuesday could reignite the fire. "This is a completely new situation; we have not had this scenario up to now," he said.
Rain and more favourable winds on Monday offered a brief reprieve, but the fire is far from extinguished. As rain and cooler weather helped, authorities said they remain on high alert.
Looking ahead, officials are preparing for possible further evacuations if the wind picks up. The community centre will stay open as a temporary shelter, and residents are being urged to keep emergency kits ready while the fire crews continue their containment efforts.
With climate change driving hotter, drier summers across Europe, the Monschau evacuation may be a sign of more frequent cross‑border wildfire emergencies in the years to come.
