Story perspectives

Belgium evacuates 600 as High Fens wildfire rages

8/16/2026

Summary

Belgium Fights Wildfire

Belgium fought its largest wildfire in the High Fens, burning about 30 sq km and overtaking the 2011 blaze of 14 sq km.
Governor Hervé Jamar deployed over 250 staff, including 100+ firefighters, and activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which dispatched Swedish water-bombing aircraft and Dutch-Czech helicopters.
600 residents of Waimes and Bütgenbach were evacuated to a Malmedy gymnasium, while fire fronts toward Jalhay and Monschau were under control with no homes damaged.

Summary

Liège Governor Responds

Governor of Liège province activated the Provincial Emergency Plan and imposed road blocks around Malmedy, Waimes and Baelen.
Officials said the fire spread fast because the fifth summer heatwave pushed temperatures to near 37 °C, creating extreme dryness.
Heavy Panther fire engines from Belgian military air bases were sent to aid civilian crews.
Emergency teams installed pumping lines that draw water from Lake Robertville and Lake Bütgenbach to feed fire-hoses.

Summary

Francken Evacuates Camp

Defence Minister Theo Francken ordered the evacuation of a children’s camp because of the fire.
Restaurant owner David Rodolfs said the smoke was so thick he couldn’t see a thing, raising health worries for locals.
Local farmers wet the area to aid firefighters while Monschau authorities warned residents in three districts to seek temporary lodging.
Tourists were told to leave the High Fens, cutting short visitor spending in the region.

History

Historical Context

After the deadly 2003 European heatwave—when France recorded about 15,000 heat-related deaths and the EU first deployed twelve firefighting aircraft—the Union overhauled its Civil Protection Mechanism. The same framework now coordinates the response to the 2026 High Fens blaze in Belgium, where Governor Hervé Jamar ordered the evacuation of 600 residents and Sweden, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic supplied aircraft.

1 of 4

Belgium Fights Wildfire

Belgium fought its largest wildfire in the High Fens, burning about 30 sq km and overtaking the 2011 blaze of 14 sq km.
Governor Hervé Jamar deployed over 250 staff, including 100+ firefighters, and activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which dispatched Swedish water-bombing aircraft and Dutch-Czech helicopters.
600 residents of Waimes and Bütgenbach were evacuated to a Malmedy gymnasium, while fire fronts toward Jalhay and Monschau were under control with no homes damaged.

1 / 4