Historic Fire in Belgium's Hautes Fagnes Will Take Weeks to Control
Listen to the story
A large and historic fire is burning in the Hautes Fagnes, a nature reserve in Belgium. It is one of the biggest fires ever recorded in the area.
Firefighters have been working for days to control the flames. Officials say the operation will continue for several more weeks before the fire is fully out.
During the firefighting work, one fire truck was involved in an accident. No further details were given about the incident.
The fire is close to the border with Germany. Because of the danger, German authorities ordered some residents to leave their homes and move to safer areas.
The fire has also caused serious air pollution in the region. Experts reported strong peaks of pollution during the night, when smoke levels were highest.
Health officials have warned that vulnerable groups, such as elderly people, children, and those with breathing problems, should take extra care. They advised people to stay indoors when the air quality is poor.
The fire remains active, and Belgian emergency services continue to work to bring it fully under control. Cross-border cooperation with Germany appears to be part of the response, given the evacuation orders on the German side.
Vocabulary7 words
- historic
- very important because it is one of the biggest or first of its kind
- firefighters
- people trained to stop dangerous fires
- accident
- something bad that happens by chance, not on purpose
- authorities
- people or groups with power to make official decisions
- pollution
- dirty or harmful substances in the air or water
- peaks
- the highest points of something, like pollution levels
- vulnerable
- easily harmed or hurt
Quiz
Answer key
1. A historic fire is burning 2. Because of the fire's danger near the border 3. During the night
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A large and _____ fire is burning in the Hautes Fagnes, a nature reserve in Belgium.
_____ have been working for days to control the flames.
The operation will continue for several more weeks before the fire is fully out.
During the firefighting work, one fire truck was involved in an _____.
German _____ ordered some residents to leave their homes.
The fire has also caused serious air _____ in the region.
Experts reported strong _____ of pollution during the night.
Health officials warned that _____ groups should take extra care.
They advised people to stay indoors when the air quality is poor.