Belgium High Fens wildfire: 3,000 hectares burned, 600 evacuees await return
Synopsis
One of Belgium's largest wildfires has consumed 3,000 hectares in the High Fens region, displacing 600 residents and drawing firefighting aircraft from five countries. With inaccessible terrain still burning and a criminal investigation now open, the crisis is also fuelling a broader push for a permanent EU firefighting fleet.
Key Takeaways
The High Fens wildfire in eastern Belgium has burned approximately 3,000 hectares since breaking out on Friday afternoon .
The fire was contained in accessible areas by Monday morning , but continued spreading in terrain unreachable by crews on foot.
Around 600 evacuated residents remained unable to return home as of Monday; no new evacuations were planned.
Nearly 500 personnel , more than 120 vehicles , and 9 aircraft from five countries — Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Sweden — were deployed.
The Liege prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Marc Gilbert of the Royal Federation of Belgian Firefighters called for a permanent joint EU firefighting aircraft fleet .
The High Fens wildfire in eastern Belgium has scorched approximately 3,000 hectares since breaking out on Friday afternoon, making it one of the country's largest recorded blazes. Light rainfall on Monday helped slow its advance, though local authorities confirmed it was insufficient to extinguish the fire entirely.
Current Status of the Blaze
Walloon authorities announced on Monday morning that the fire had been contained in areas accessible to emergency crews. Overnight, however, it continued to spread into terrain unreachable on foot, with expansion remaining limited due to more favourable wind conditions and intermittent rainfall. Several roads in and around the affected zone remained closed to traffic as of Monday.
Evacuations and Residents
Around 600 residents evacuated earlier remained unable to return home, with no new evacuations planned at the time of reporting. Separately, approximately 30 residents in the German border town of Monschau had been evacuated on Sunday evening as a precaution due to heavy smoke and the risk of the fire crossing the border. German media reported that the blaze was no longer advancing toward Monschau as of Monday.
Firefighting Response and International Support
Nearly 500 personnel and more than 120 vehicles were deployed in firefighting operations on Monday. Nine aircraft from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Sweden provided aerial support, with the operation coordinated by the European Union's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). King Philippe visited the affected area on Monday to meet emergency teams and personnel on the ground.
Call for a European Firefighting Fleet
Marc Gilbert, president of the Royal Federation of Belgian Firefighters, used the crisis to call for the creation of a joint European fleet of firefighting aircraft that member states could mobilise during major wildfire events. Gilbert argued that individual countries frequently lacked the financial capacity to acquire such equipment independently — a concern that has surfaced repeatedly during large-scale fire emergencies across the continent in recent years.
Investigation Opened
The Liege prosecutor's office has opened a formal investigation into the cause of the wildfire, according to Belgian media reports. The cause has not yet been established. With inaccessible terrain still smouldering and hundreds of residents displaced, authorities say the situation remains fluid and dependent on weather conditions in the coming days.
Point of View
The cost of inaction is becoming harder to ignore.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is the High Fens wildfire in Belgium?
The High Fens wildfire has burned approximately 3,000 hectares since it broke out on Friday afternoon, making it one of the largest wildfires in Belgium's recorded history. As of Monday, it remained active in terrain inaccessible to ground crews.
How many people have been evacuated due to the Belgium wildfire?
Around 600 residents were evacuated and remained unable to return home as of Monday. An additional 30 residents in the German border town of Monschau were evacuated on Sunday evening as a precaution due to heavy smoke, though the fire was reported to no longer be advancing in that direction.
Which countries are helping Belgium fight the High Fens wildfire?
Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Sweden have contributed a combined nine aircraft to the aerial firefighting effort. The operation is being coordinated by the European Union's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC).
What caused the High Fens wildfire in Belgium?
The cause has not yet been established. The Liege prosecutor's office has opened a formal investigation into the origin of the blaze, according to Belgian media reports.
What is the call for a European firefighting fleet about?
Marc Gilbert, president of the Royal Federation of Belgian Firefighters, called for the creation of a shared EU fleet of firefighting aircraft that member states could activate during major wildfire emergencies. He argued that individual countries often cannot afford to procure such equipment on their own.
