The Nature and Forest Agency has issued an orange alert for all Flemish nature reserves. In a statement the Agency says that “It is very dry and there is a high risk of fire. Lighting fires is prohibited. Please be careful and do not smoke inside nature reserves”
On Tuesday, the Nature and Forest Agency instructed all local authorities to issue warnings regarding the increased risk of fire in nature reserves.
Due to the ongoing drought, a code orange warning for fire risk came into force across Flanders on Friday. Fire watchtowers, such as the one in the Kalmthoutse Heide, in Antwerp Province are being manned.
The Govenor of East Flanders Carina Van Cauter told VRT News that ‘The dry wind and low humidity mean that the risk of wildfires in the countryside will remain high very high until the weather changes at the weekend. Added any additional risk of fire must be avoided”.
Smoking and campfires prohibited
Walkers and nature lovers must change their behaviour. The advice is to “Be careful, do not smoke in nature reserves and forests. Do not leave children unsupervised in the countryside. Lighting fires is prohibited”.
Anyone who sees smoke or a fire while out in the countryside should immediately call the emergency service on 112.
Meanwhile, the Fire Service is also warning the public of the risk of domestic fires. “Be careful with fire in your garden or on your driveway. It is very dry and a fire can break out there too very quickly,” says Kristof Geens of the Kempen Fire Service. “Now is not a good time to use burners to get rid of weeds.”
“Also, put your barbecue in a spot where sparks cannot start a fire in your garden. Motorists that discard their cigarettes onto the roadside also risk starting a fire”.