Cross-Border
Smoke from a forest fire in the Hautes Fagnes region of Belgium drifted into Luxembourg on Saturday afternoon, carried by shifting winds. Meteorologist Jörg Kachelmann reported that the smoke is expected to linger over the Grand Duchy for at least two days. Smoke and ash have already been detected in Trier and the Wittlich district in Germany.
The fire broke out on Friday near Baelen, in a protected cross-border nature reserve between Belgium and Germany. More than 1'600 hectares have been destroyed, making it one of the worst wildfires in the history of the Belgian nature reserve. Numerous roads in the area have been completely closed off.
Authorities emphasise there is no fire posing an immediate threat to Luxembourg. The wind is transporting smoke from a distance, and residents in the north, particularly the Oesling region, will likely notice the smell first. There is no direct danger to people in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg has deployed eleven firefighters and three water tankers to Belgium, one each from Frisange, Kehlen, and Larochette. Belgian authorities specifically requested the assistance. Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden has been in contact with his Belgian counterpart, and the Luxembourg teams travelled to the incident site on Saturday.
One of the worst wildfires in the history of the reserve, and a small country sending what it can to help.