Belgium is battling one of the worst wildfires in its history, with the largest blaze in a century striking the High Fens nature reserve near the German border. The fire has burned approximately 3,000 hectares, an area described as half the size of Manhattan.
Hundreds of firefighters, supported by water-bombing aircraft from several countries, have been deployed to contain and douse the flames. On Tuesday, emergency crews launched a decisive push to encircle the fire, although wind and rain hampered air support operations over the area.
While rains and cooler temperatures are now helping firefighters bring the blaze to heel, the event is part of a larger trend. Europe has been swept by weeks of devastating wildfires fueled by a historically hot summer and dry conditions, with France, Greece, Portugal and Spain also battling major fires.