High Fens fires expose Belgium’s thin aerial firefighting capacity

UPDATED 17 AUGUST 2026, 18:00 CEST — Firefighters and emergency services continued operations in Belgium’s High Fens on Monday after a major fire spread through the protected landscape from Friday, with the affected area still under surveillance and access restrictions remaining in place. L’Echo reported that the response has exposed how few Belgian aircraft are available to support crews fighting large vegetation fires.

Belgium has no dedicated fleet of water-bombing aircraft. According to L’Echo, the country instead relies on helicopters operated by the federal police and Defence, fitted with external water buckets when aircraft, crews and equipment are available. Those helicopters also perform policing, search-and-rescue and military duties, limiting the capacity for simultaneous emergencies.

The fire’s environmental damage extends beyond scorched vegetation. RTBF reported, citing Laurane Winandy of the University of Liège’s High Fens scientific station, that flames reached rare peatland habitats. Peat can retain heat and burn below the surface, forcing crews to monitor apparently extinguished ground for renewed outbreaks.

The High Fens are particularly difficult terrain for firefighters. Dry grasses carry flames rapidly, while bogs and uneven ground restrict heavy vehicles. Aerial drops suppress the most active edges but do not replace crews working on the ground, where water supply, access routes and the treatment of buried hot spots remain decisive.

The vulnerability was already documented. The Walloon Public Service said a 2011 High Fens fire burned about 1,200 hectares, while a 2023 blaze affected roughly 155 hectares. A Walloon parliamentary debate in October 2025 identified gaps in specialist vehicles, trained personnel and immediately available aviation support.

Belgian Defence is renewing its helicopter fleet, but the programme does not create a dedicated wildfire service. Defence says 15 H145M light utility helicopters are being delivered through 2027, while its 2025 strategic vision provides for four search-and-rescue and 11 transport helicopters. Their primary purpose remains military and rescue operations.

Authorities must now watch for underground peat fires, reassess the ecological loss and determine when closed areas can reopen. The cause of the blaze, the final area damaged and the timetable for restoring the reserve were not confirmed at the update time.