Belgium is fighting what is thought to be the largest wildfire in its history as it nears the German border, prompting evacuations and EU aid, while French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was booed by residents during a visit to a wildfire-affected town.
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Key facts
- A wildfire thought to be the largest in Belgium's history is creeping closer to the German border, prompting evacuations.
- French PM Sébastien Lecornu was booed on arrival in Le Porge, in the Gironde region.
- The European Commission deployed assistance to Belgium and Spain under the EU civil protection mechanism.
- France sent 104 firefighters and 36 vehicles to help with the Spain wildfire effort.
- Belgium's King Philippe visited the emergency coordination centre managing the firefighting response.
A wildfire thought to be the largest in Belgium’s history is creeping closer to the German border, prompting evacuations, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the European wildfire situation on 17 August 2026. The fire is burning in the eastern part of the country, where emergency services are coordinating the firefighting response.
Belgium’s King Philippe visited the emergency coordination centre overseeing the firefighters tackling the major blaze, the Guardian reported. The visit came as the European Commission deployed assistance to Belgium as part of the bloc’s civil protection mechanism.
The EU also sent help to Spain, which is dealing with its own wildfire effort. France contributed 104 firefighters and 36 vehicles to support the response in Spain, according to the Guardian.
In France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was booed on his arrival to Le Porge, one of the towns most affected by the massive wildfire in the Gironde region last month. Lecornu was set to meet local officials to discuss the reconstruction of the region, but a clip published by BFMTV showed a group of frustrated local residents booing his arrival.
Local residents expressed anger over the response. Tony Veiga, a 65-year-old pensioner, told AFP that it would have been the least the prime minister could do to meet with residents. “It really amounts to treating us as if we don’t matter,” Veiga said.
The events across Belgium, France and Spain unfolded amid wider European coverage of wildfires, drought and extreme heat, underscoring the scale of the pressure facing emergency services and communities across the continent.
Why it matters
Wildfires spreading across multiple European countries are straining national emergency services and prompting cross-border cooperation through the EU. The public anger seen in France highlights growing frustration among residents over how governments respond to and rebuild after such disasters.
Frequently asked questions
How large is the Belgium wildfire?
The fire is thought to be the largest in Belgium's history, according to the Guardian. It is burning in the eastern part of the country and creeping closer to the German border, prompting evacuations.
Why was the French PM booed?
Sébastien Lecornu was booed on arrival in Le Porge, a town affected by last month's Gironde wildfire, where he was set to meet local officials about reconstruction. Residents expressed frustration, with one pensioner telling AFP it amounted to treating them as if they didn't matter.
What assistance is the EU providing?
The European Commission deployed assistance to Belgium and Spain as part of the bloc's civil protection mechanism. France also contributed 104 firefighters and 36 vehicles to help with the wildfire effort in Spain.
Timeline
- French PM booed on visit to wildfire-affected region as EU sends assistance to Belgium and Spain – as it happened
The Guardian World: Belgium wildfire creeps closer to German border, as 104 firefighters and 36 vehicles from France help with Spain wildfire effort As flagged earlier, Belgium’s King Philippe is now visiting the emergency coordination centre looking after the firefighters tackling the major fire in
- French PM booed on visit to wildfire-affected region as EU sends assistance to Belgium and Spain – Europe live
The Guardian World: Belgium wildfire creeps closer to German border, as 104 firefighters and 36 vehicles from France help with Spain wildfire effort As flagged earlier, Belgium’s King Philippe is now visiting the emergency coordination centre looking after the firefighters tackling the major fire in
- French PM booed on visit to wildfire-affected region as Belgium tackles enormous blaze – Europe live
The Guardian World: Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuations We are now getting a bit more detail on Sébastien Lecornu’s visit to the wildfires-hit region of France, after he was booed by local residents in Le Porge earlier today ( 10:5
- Belgium tackles enormous wildfire as French PM booed on visit to affected region – Europe live
The Guardian World: Wildfire thought to be largest in Belgium’s history creeps closer to German border prompting evacuations Over in France, prime minister Sébastien Lecornu was booed on arrival to Le Porge, one of the towns most affected by the massive wildfire in the Gironde region last month. Lec