Hautes Fagnes wildfire and peat fire response

A wildfire in the Hautes Fagnes region has evolved into a persistent peat fire that continues to smolder beneath the surface. Initial investigations into the cause of the blaze have explored possibilities such as a discarded cigarette or a spark from agricultural machinery, though dangerous terrain has hindered on-site inspections by the Liège prosecutor’s office.

To combat the fire and prevent reignition, emergency services have deployed an automated sprinkler system borrowed from Germany. This system utilizes 90 sprinkler heads along a two-kilometer front to discharge water from a nearby lake. International assistance has been provided by specialists from Spain and the Netherlands.

Throughout the crisis, authorities have struggled with unauthorized entries into restricted zones by pedestrians and cyclists. Following reports of individuals breaching security perimeters, officials have moved from warnings to a zero-tolerance enforcement policy. Joint patrols by police and Nature and Forest division agents are now active, with violators facing fines ranging from 150 euros to several thousand euros.