One of the worst fires in Belgium's history has caused huge damage to the country's largest nature reserve. Hundreds of people have been forced to leave their homes after fire broke out in the High Fens on Friday. More than 250 people worked through the night on Saturday to try and bring the flames under control but several fires were still blazing on Sunday.
The fire has destroyed more than 2,700 hectares of nature reserve, according to a new assessment published by the acting governor of the province of Liège, Anne Dassy. It is not only the changeable wind that is hampering fire-fighting efforts: the difficult terrain makes it challenging in many places to tackle the fire at close range using standard equipment.
Two helicopters from the federal police and two from the Netherlands have been deployed, alongside more than 15 emergency services units from across the country, German and Luxembourgish firefighters, the civil protection service, water tankers from the federal police and four fire engines from the Ministry of Defence. Farmers are also helping to replenish the water supply.
At the request of the affected emergency services zones, the Brussels-Capital region and the Brussels Fire Brigade are sending a water tanker, a fire engine and eight Brussels firefighters to the High Fens.
“Our firefighters are there first and foremost to protect the residents of Brussels, but they are also part of a large family that can be relied upon throughout Belgium when the situation calls for it. I am happy to support this kind of solidarity and courage,” said Brussels minister-president Boris Dilliès.
The safety of the population remains the priority of the authorities and the services mobilised
Dassy says she is aware that the scale of the fire, the smoke and the precautionary evacuation of around 600 residents may cause concern. “The safety of the population remains the priority of the authorities and the services mobilised,” she said. No significant rainfall is expected in the area until Wednesday.
What is being reduced to ashes in a matter of days took hundreds of years to form. Recovery could take decades, even centuries, an expert from Ghent University warns.
The High Fens are a remarkable nature reserve. The area is fed entirely by rainfall and is normally very damp as it sees more rain than elsewhere in the country. “This gives rise to specific vegetation and is home to rare animal species,” explains Kris Verheyen, professor of forest ecology and management at UGent. “It is a unique piece of nature.”
Peat is a type of soil composed of organic material. “When plant material dies, it ends up on the ground,” Verheyen says. “Conditions in the High Fens are so damp that it cannot break down completely, and fragments of plant material remain. Over the years, peat thus builds up slowly.”
In the case of living raised bogs – where new growth occurs every year – the average growth rate is 1mm per year. Verheyen: “When you realise there are sections of peat more than a metre thick, you know this process has been going on for a very long time.”
This is not the first time the High Fens have been hit by a major fire: around 1,300 hectares were reduced to ashes in 2011. Afterwards, nature was able to recover relatively quickly.
The restoration of that peatland could take decades, and perhaps even centuries
Verheyen fears that that will not be the case this time. “The fire in 2011 took place in the spring,” he says. “The ground is still damp then, so the fire couldn’t penetrate the soil.” Things are different now, as the country is in the midst of an exceptionally dry spell.
The fire has not yet been extinguished and it is not yet clear how much peat has been lost. “The risk of a major impact is very real,” Verheyen says. “The restoration of that peatland could take decades, and perhaps even centuries.”