Belgian firefighters push to encircle ‘largest wildfire in a century’ – as it happened

Firefighters were locked in a potentially decisive push Tuesday to encircle Belgium’s largest wildfire in a century, despite rainclouds hampering air support operations over the High Fens nature reserve, AFP reported.

The blaze charring the expanse of peatland, pine trees and hiking trails grew over the weekend to half the size of Manhattan – 3,000 hectares (7,500 acres) – with hundreds of firefighters working night and day to wrestle it under control.

Much of the fire has now been contained but a hard-to-access front closest to the German border remains a concern, with gusty easterly winds bringing an added challenge.

“This day will likely be decisive if firefighters succeed in their strategy of encircling the fire,” said crisis cell spokesman Tony Hosmans.

“If that happens, the fire will be completely surrounded, and we can hope to stop its advance,” he said.