Domestic

Forest fire in Hohes Venn: Fire contained and evacuation lifted

In Hohes Venn, the situation has improved following the forest fire, with evacuations lifted, although the blaze is not yet fully under control.

20 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Forest fire in Hohes Venn: Fire contained and evacuation lifted — Photo: musikpirat · Flickr · BY-SA

The forest fire in Hohes Venn, a region in Belgium, has been contained. Emergency services have made progress, but the flames are still not fully under control. The situation remains tense for firefighters as efforts to combat the fire continue.

Despite the challenging conditions, emergency responders reported that the fire had been curtailed. The town of Monschau in North Rhine-Westphalia has lifted the evacuation orders issued due to the fires in Belgium, allowing residents in the local district of Kalterherberg to return home.

According to reports, around 3,000 hectares of nature have been destroyed by the flames. Authorities in Belgium and Germany have confirmed that the evacuation orders for the affected areas are no longer in effect.

Archive photo: Forest fire in Hohes Venn: Fire contained and evacuation lifted — Archive photoPhoto: PHOTOGRAPHY Toporowski · Flickr · BY-SA

The local fire service is benefiting from additional rain that has fallen in the region. This could assist the emergency teams in extinguishing the remaining hotspots completely and stabilizing the situation further.

Authorities emphasize that while conditions have improved, ongoing vigilance is required. Emergency teams will continue to monitor the area to ensure that the fire does not reignite.

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