Wildfire destroys 100 hectares in Belgium's Hautes Fagnes, provincial emergency plan triggered
A wildfire in Belgium's Hautes Fagnes nature reserve near Baelen has destroyed approximately 100 hectares of vegetation since Friday afternoon, prompting the activation of the provincial emergency plan and closure of the N68 road.
Outbreak and spread
A wildfire broke out on Friday 14 August shortly after 13:00 at the Fagne des Deux-Séries, near the Drossart roundabout on the territory of the commune of Baelen in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve, in Belgium's Liège province. The fire initially covered about one hectare but spread rapidly at a speed of 5 to 10 km/h, driven by drought and high temperatures. By late afternoon, the burned area was estimated at approximately 60 hectares, with one source citing 600,000 square metres. By evening, firefighters on the scene reported around 100 hectares destroyed, according to VRT NWS journalist Ferre Windey. The circumstances of the fire's start remain unknown.
- Fire starts at Fagne des Deux-Séries near Drossart roundabout, Baelen, initially covering 1 hectare
- Fire spreads to approximately 60 hectares at 5 to 10 km/h
- Acting governor Anne Dassy triggers provincial phase of emergency plan
- Firefighters on scene report approximately 100 hectares destroyed
- Helicopter operations suspended for the night
- Helicopter operations set to resume
Emergency response
Acting governor of Liège province Anne Dassy triggered the provincial phase of the emergency plan on Friday afternoon to coordinate the intervention and protect the population and environment. Three rescue zones from the province, the DNF (Département de la Nature et des Forêts), Civil Protection, federal police and local police were all mobilised. Two federal police helicopters equipped with "Bambi buckets" conducted water drops, drawing water from the Gileppe dam. Civil Protection also installed a pool near the site to allow helicopters to refill more efficiently. Helicopter operations were suspended overnight and were set to resume on Saturday 15 August at 07:00, according to Baelen mayor Nathalie Thönnissen.
- Initial outbreak
- 1 hectares
- Afternoon, 14 Aug
- 60 hectares
- Evening, 14 Aug
- 100 hectares
Public safety measures
No evacuation of the local population has been ordered. The N68 road was closed to traffic, and Liège province governor Hervé Jamar asked residents in a Facebook message shared overnight from Friday to Saturday to avoid the area until further notice. All walking and hiking in the affected zone of the Hautes Fagnes was formally prohibited. Several events were cancelled, including the Nuit des étoiles filantes on Friday evening and the enduro moto of Stavelot scheduled for Sunday. The commune of Baelen asked residents not to contact emergency services to report smoke or burning smells, and to call 112 only if flames or a fire source were directly visible.
Officials' statements
SPW spokesperson Nicolas Yernaux described the conditions facing firefighters and noted that similar fires were appearing across Wallonia.
The wind is currently unfavorable to us and the fire is moving away from the paths. With the drought and the strong heat, we imagined that the situation would be complicated. It is moreover the case a bit everywhere in Wallonia, where fires are breaking out.
Yernaux also warned that onlookers were hampering emergency vehicle movement at certain points, disrupting the work of rescue services. Acting governor Anne Dassy stressed the restrictions in place.
Consequently, all walks in the zone affected by the fire are henceforth formally prohibited. We count on the understanding and cooperation of the population in order to facilitate the ongoing rescue operations.
Dassy also highlighted the importance of solidarity between the different rescue zones and the joint efforts deployed to overcome the crisis. The governor and the mayors of Baelen and Jalhay were following the situation closely and remained in contact with intervention services to assess the fire's evolution and take appropriate protective measures.
