European aerial firefighting force deployed as High Fens blaze becomes Belgium’s largest on record

Belgium has requested international aerial support to fight the rapidly expanding wildfire in the High Fens, where difficult terrain, dry peat and strong winds have severely complicated the work of firefighters on the ground.

By Saturday evening, approximately 2,000 hectares of vegetation had reportedly been affected, making it the largest wildfire recorded in Belgium. The previous record was set during the major High Fens fire of 2011, which burned nearly 1,400 hectares.

The fire started on Friday afternoon near Baelen and initially covered only a limited area. It subsequently spread at an exceptional rate through the dry vegetation and peatland. Fire crews from several Belgian emergency zones, Civil Protection personnel, the armed forces, forestry workers and farmers have been mobilised, while assistance has also arrived from neighbouring Germany.

Belgian police helicopters lead initial aerial response

The first aircraft deployed were helicopters of the Belgian Federal Police’s Directorate of Air Support, based at Melsbroek.

Two police helicopters were reported over the affected area, using suspended “Bambi Buckets” to collect water and drop it directly onto the fire. The Federal Police operates twin-engined McDonnell Douglas MD902 Explorer helicopters which can carry firefighting buckets holding up to approximately 1,000 litres.

Their relatively limited payload is compensated by their ability to operate close to the fire and repeatedly refill from nearby water sources. Drones have also been used to monitor the perimeter, locate new fire fronts and provide information to the incident command centre.

However, the scale and speed of the blaze soon exceeded Belgium’s limited national aerial firefighting capacity.

Netherlands sends heavy-lift helicopters

The Netherlands announced the deployment of two military firefighting helicopters following Belgium’s request for assistance.

According to Dutch reports, the package includes a Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47 Chinook. The twin-rotor transport helicopter can carry a Bambi Bucket containing around 7,600 litres of water—several times the capacity of the Belgian police helicopters.

Dutch military firefighting operations can also involve AS532 Cougar helicopters, whose buckets hold approximately 2,500 litres. At the time of writing, Dutch authorities had confirmed that two helicopters were being sent, although the precise composition of the pair had not yet been officially detailed in all public statements.

The helicopters are accompanied by specialised ground personnel responsible for coordinating water collection and directing drops in accordance with the Belgian firefighting command’s priorities.

Czech Black Hawk and Swedish water bombers mobilised through EU

Belgium also activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib subsequently announced that an additional helicopter from Czechia and two water-bombing aircraft from Sweden were being dispatched.

The Czech contribution is understood to be a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk configured for aerial firefighting. The helicopter can use a Bambi Bucket with a capacity of around 3,450 litres. Czech crews have gained considerable experience during recent deployments against major wildfires elsewhere in Europe.

Sweden’s contribution consists of two amphibious Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss aircraft from the country’s EU-supported firefighting fleet. Each aircraft can carry about 3,100 litres of water.

Unlike land-based air tankers, the Fire Boss can skim across a suitable lake or reservoir and scoop up a new load in a matter of seconds. When a usable water source is located close to the fire, the aircraft can perform frequent rotations and deliver tens of thousands of litres per hour. Their effective use in the High Fens will nevertheless depend on the availability of a sufficiently large and unobstructed water surface, as well as visibility, wind and airspace coordination.

Complex multinational air operation

The combined deployment represents an unusually large aerial firefighting operation for Belgium. It brings together Belgian police helicopters, Dutch heavy-lift military helicopters, a Czech firefighting helicopter and Swedish fixed-wing water bombers.

Managing such a mixed fleet requires careful separation of aircraft, coordinated approach and departure routes, designated collection points and close communication with firefighters on the ground. Helicopters and aircraft cannot simply attack the most visible flames: their drops must be integrated into the wider strategy of protecting firefighters, slowing the advancing front and reinforcing firebreaks.

Aerial drops alone are unlikely to extinguish a deep peat fire. In the High Fens, fire can continue to smoulder below the surface and reappear after the visible flames have passed. Aircraft can suppress the fire and make areas accessible, but extensive ground operations—and ultimately rainfall—may still be needed to eliminate underground hotspots.

The international reinforcements illustrate both the exceptional scale of the emergency and the importance of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Belgium has no dedicated fleet of large water-bombing aircraft and relies principally on the relatively small buckets carried by Federal Police helicopters. For an incident of this magnitude, rapid assistance from neighbouring countries and the European firefighting reserve is therefore essential.

As of Saturday evening, the fire had not yet been brought fully under control, while changing winds prompted evacuations in parts of Liège province and preparations for possible further evacuations near the Belgian-German border.

Sources: Reuters, Belgian Federal Police, Dutch Ministry of Defence, BRF.