The wildfire in Belgium’s High Fens nature reserve was no longer advancing towards the German border early on Monday, as light rain, calm winds and high humidity helped firefighting efforts.
“That’s good for us,” a fire brigade spokesman at the command centre in Kalterherberg, part of the German town of Monschau, said.
The blaze, which has burned around 3,000 hectares, is the largest wildfire in Belgium’s history.
The fire had previously moved to within about 300 metres of the German border, raising fears that stronger and shifting winds could push the flames towards Germany.
Around 30 residents from 17 homes in parts of Monschau were evacuated late on Sunday as a precaution.
Firefighters hoped to save the homes. “Between the fire and the houses are meadows that we have completely soaked with water over the past few hours,” a spokesman said.
German crews joined the firefighting effort after Belgium requested assistance on Sunday afternoon.
Water tankers continued moving through Kalterherberg overnight, while crews refilled large tanks used by fire engines tackling the flames directly.
Emergency accommodation was set up at a nearby school.
Firefighters in eastern Belgium continued to face difficult conditions. Belgian Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said relatively strong and constantly shifting winds were making efforts particularly challenging.