Unprecedented Fires in Belgium Affect Northern France
Listen to the story
There are big fires in Belgium. People say these fires are new and very big.
Two planes from Sweden are helping. The planes drop water on the fire. This can stop the fire from growing.
The fires are also near the Ardennes. The Ardennes is a forest area in Belgium and France.
In Lorraine, France, people can smell smoke. The smell comes from the fires in Belgium.
People in Lorraine are calling firefighters. They are worried about the smoke and the fire.
There is also a pollution problem. The air is not clean because of the smoke.
This pollution can be bad for health. Some people may have trouble breathing.
The news program ARTE Journal talked about this story on 16 August 2026.
Vocabulary5 words
- fires
- when things burn out of control
- Ardennes
- a forest area in Belgium and France
- firefighters
- people whose job is to stop fires
- pollution
- dirty air or water that is bad for health
Quiz
Answer key
1. Belgium 2. Dropping water on the fire 3. Smoke smell and pollution
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
There are big _____ in Belgium. People say these fires are new and very big.
Two planes from _____ are helping. The planes drop water on the fire.
The fires are also near the _____. This is a forest area in Belgium and France.
In Lorraine, France, people can smell _____.
People in Lorraine are calling _____.
There is also a _____ problem in the air.
This pollution can be bad for _____.
The news program ARTE Journal talked about this story on 16 _____ 2026.