Brussels says Sonian Forest fire plan is ready after High Fens blaze

Updated 24 August 2026 — Brussels authorities said on Wednesday, 19 August, that they have a dedicated intervention plan for a fire in the Sonian Forest, including mapped access routes, water resources and seven rendezvous points where forest guards can guide firefighters. Brussels Environment told Belga, in reporting published by BX1, that about 6% of the forest’s Brussels section is classed as particularly fire-sensitive.

The announcement followed the wildfire that began in the High Fens on 14 August. Belgium’s Defence Ministry said the blaze affected nearly 3,000 hectares and remained under control on 19 August while crews completed containment work. Liège provincial authorities subsequently said on 20 August that the fire was controlled overall, although surveillance remained necessary because peat soils can conceal persistent hot spots. The cause has not been established publicly.

Brussels Environment spokeswoman Pascale Hourman described conditions in the Sonian Forest as very concerning, citing dry ground and stressed trees, according to BX1. The agency said conifers, other resinous trees and dry bracken make certain areas more vulnerable. Its environmental assessment also records two fire outbreaks in the Brussels section during spring 2025 and says repeated drought and hotter summers are increasing the regional risk.

The Brussels Fire Brigade has mapped vehicle access and water supplies but does not operate vehicles designed specifically for forest fires, Major Philippe Bécret told Belga. Its procedure instead adapts urban fire engines, with neighbouring zones able to provide four-wheel-drive reinforcements. Crews would lay hoses from passable tracks and arrange tanker relays from the urban hydrant network. Two Brussels officers have received training for coordinating large-scale operations.

The forest’s layout offers some protection. Bécret said its dominant broad-leaved trees, especially beeches, ignite less readily than conifers. Brussels Environment added that frequent visitors can spot smoke early and that paths occur roughly every 100 metres. Those same visitors also create exposure: the agency identifies human activity as the source of most forest ignitions and prohibits fires, barbecues and discarded cigarettes.

The Brussels management plan, adopted in 2019 for 24 years, calls for more diverse tree species and continued coordination between Brussels Environment and the fire service. For residents and visitors, the immediate instruction is simple: light no fire, discard no cigarette and report an outbreak through the emergency services. Authorities will continue reinforced patrols during dry conditions, while the High Fens disaster is expected to sharpen scrutiny of equipment, cross-zone reinforcements and Belgium’s long-term wildfire planning.