High Fens roads reopen as fire-damaged nature reserve remains closed

Three regional roads through the High Fens reopened on Tuesday morning, but authorities are maintaining a strict ban on entering the fire-damaged nature reserve while emergency and monitoring operations continue.

Belgium Impulse Editorial·24 August 2026·3 min read·

Well established· 1 primary source + 2 official documents + 1 independent reporting source · Background sources: 1

TopicsHigh FensHoge VenenWalloniaVlaanderenN68N672N676Belgian Defence

In 30 seconds

The N68, N672 and N676 reopened at 10:00 on Tuesday.
Entry into the affected High Fens nature reserve remains prohibited.
Stopping and parking remain banned near the disaster zone, where a 50km/h limit applies.
Belgian Defence says close to 3,000 hectares were affected.

Updated 25 August 2026, 10:00 CEST —

, PROVINCE: Liège provincial authorities reopened the N68, N672 and N676 to traffic at 10:00 on Tuesday after an approximately ten-day closure, while keeping the High Fens nature reserve strictly off limits. The provincial governor said the continuing access ban protects both the public and emergency crews working inside the affected area.

De Nieuwsblad reported that stopping and parking remain prohibited beside roads near the disaster zone and that a 50km/h speed limit applies there. The reopening restores direct access for residents, local shops and tourism businesses that were cut off or reached only through diversions during the emergency.

The roads reopening does not mean the wider site is safe. Wallonia’s public information service says forest paths and natural areas within the restricted perimeter remain closed or tightly controlled under municipal police orders and instructions from the Department of Nature and Forests. Visitors must follow local signs because restrictions can also apply outside the principal mapped perimeter.

The fire began on 14 August and affected close to 3,000 hectares, according to the Belgian Defence Ministry, which deployed military firefighters and six Panther vehicles at the Liège governor’s request. East Belgium’s tourism authority says the fire is under control, all evacuations have ended and air-quality readings in Waimes and Bütgenbach have returned to very good levels. It nevertheless advises visitors to avoid the plateau and notes that several walking and cycling routes remain interrupted or diverted.

The scale of the burned area makes this an exceptional Belgian wildfire. VRT NWS identified the previous benchmark as the 2011 High Fens fire, which burned about 1,300 hectares. The comparison also explains the cautious reopening: peat and dry vegetation can retain heat below the surface, while the damaged terrain still has to accommodate emergency vehicles and ecological assessment teams.

Where this is happening

View on map High Fens →

High Fens · 50.521, 6.103 · Open in OpenStreetMap ↗ · Source: Wikidata Q599193

Elsewhere, the warning level for wildfires across Vlaanderen has moved to code yellow, according to the Flemish Nature and Forest Agency information relayed by De Nieuwsblad. Code yellow calls for heightened vigilance by land managers, firefighters and visitors; smoking and lighting fires in Flemish forests and nature areas are prohibited throughout the year. Authorities will determine separately when the High Fens paths, recreation sites and disrupted cross-regional routes can reopen.

Who’s affectedHigh Fens residentsBaelen and Jalhay commutersWaimes and Eupen residentsEast Cantons businesseswalkers and cyclistsHigh Fens tourism operatorsregional road usersnature reserve staff

Context & what happens next

What to do

Drivers can use the N68, N672 and N676 again, but should allow for a 50km/h restriction near the disaster area and must not stop or park there. Anyone planning a walk, cycle ride or nature visit should choose an alternative destination or route because the affected reserve remains closed, despite the roads reopening. Tourism businesses should continue warning guests about inaccessible trails and possible diversions. Across Vlaanderen, code yellow means visitors should remain alert to wildfire risk and follow instructions from nature-site managers and local authorities.

Impact

Regional — Residents and businesses around Baelen, Jalhay, Waimes, Eupen and the East Cantons regain more direct road access. Walkers, cyclists and tourism operators still face closed or diverted routes across the plateau.

Evidence

Well established · 1 primary source + 2 official documents + 1 independent reporting source · Background sources: 1

Explore evidence →

De Nieuwsblad