Recent wildfires in the High Fens, a vulnerable natural area in Wallonia, have once again highlighted Belgium's limited capacity to combat large-scale fires. Although the blaze required international assistance, the question remains whether Belgium is sufficiently equipped to manage future incidents independently. The situation underscores the need for a reassessment of the national firefighting strategy. This incident joins previous warnings and necessitates a critical look at preparedness for wildfires, which may become more frequent and intense due to climate change.
What is happening
Fires in the High Fens have caused significant damage to the delicate ecosystem and led to the deployment of substantial resources. Belgium had to call upon international assistance, including air support from neighboring countries, to bring the flames under control. This emphasizes that Belgium's current resources and protocols may be inadequate for tackling complex and large-scale wildfires, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like the High Fens. Local fire zones, such as those in Liège and Eastern Wallonia, faced unprecedented challenges, highlighting the reliance on specialized foreign assets.
How Belgian firefighters tackle wildfires
Belgian fire zones, such as those in Liège and Eastern Wallonia, collaborate with Civil Protection and nature managers, like the Agency for Nature and Forest. However, the specific challenges of peatlands, where fires can spread deep underground, require specialized techniques and equipment not always locally available. The coordination and rapid deployment of resources, both national and international, proved vital. The Federal Government, through the Federal Crisis Centre, plays a crucial role in coordinating national and international responses. The RMI regularly warns of drought, which increases the risk of wildfires.
Background
Historically, Belgium has not often faced wildfires of the magnitude seen in Southern Europe. However, due to climate change and longer periods of drought and heat, the risk of such incidents is increasing. According to Statbel, the average summer temperature has risen in recent decades. The incident in the High Fens is not the first signal; earlier fires have also demonstrated the vulnerability of certain natural areas. The Belgian government has invested in prevention and suppression in the past, but their effectiveness under current conditions is now being critically evaluated. The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) points out the economic impact of climate-related incidents in its reports.
The newspaper L'Echo reported: "L'incendie dans les Hautes Fagnes met en lumière les capacités limitées de la Belgique face aux feux de forêt. Mais plusieurs pays européens ont envoyé des moyens aériens en renfort." This quote from L'Echo confirms the observation of a shortage of own resources and the necessity of European solidarity, also within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, in which Belgium participates via the Federal Crisis Centre.
What it means for Belgium
The experience in the High Fens is expected to lead to a re-evaluation of Belgium's wildfire fighting capacity. More attention will likely be given to the acquisition of specialized equipment, such as firefighting aircraft or helicopters, and to the training of firefighting personnel in techniques for large-scale wildland fires. This requires budgetary choices at the federal level and potential cooperation with the Regions (Flemish, Walloon, Brussels-Capital Region). Furthermore, cooperation with international partners, such as France and the Netherlands, will be further intensified, possibly through bilateral agreements or EU framework decisions (such as EUR-Lex). The protection of valuable natural areas like the High Fens and the safety of the population, including that of the municipality of Malmedy, are central to these concerns. A more robust strategy is essential to address the consequences of climate change.