Drone images show the extent of the damage to the countryside around the Signal de Botrange, Belgium’s highest point, caused by the wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve in Liège province.
The fire started on Friday and is not expected to be fully extinguished until later this week. King Filip and members of the federal government visited the site on Monday and praised the work of the emergency services both in Belgium and neighbouring countries.
“The firefighters are doing a fantastic job,” the King said. “They are extremely dedicated. There is also good cooperation and excellent solidarity between countries.”
We must prepare not only for spring fires but also for periods of heightened risk during the summer
A total of 234 wildfires have been recorded this year: more than double the figure for the whole of 2025, and that does not include the fire in the High Fens. Fires are no longer confined to spring, and Wallonia is being hit harder than in other years, according to researchers at Ghent University.
“Belgium is not typically prone to forest fires, but our nature reserves are becoming increasingly vulnerable,” says professor Jan Baetens. “We must therefore prepare not only for spring fires, but also for periods of heightened risk during the summer.”
Baetens is leading a research project at UGent that will allow scientists to model the spread of wildfires.
