Wallonia Bans All Fires as Drought Sparks Forest Blaze in Namur

All five Walloon provinces have imposed a total ban on open fires, including fireworks, campfires, and public barbecues, as extreme drought conditions create a severe wildfire risk across southern Belgium. The emergency measures come as a pine forest in Vresse-sur-Semois, Namur province, was already destroyed by fire on Friday, with firefighters remaining on high alert across the region.

Context

The bans, issued by provincial governors across Hainaut, Liège, Luxembourg, Namur, and Walloon Brabant, follow a meeting of the Walloon Expertise Cell on Natural Fire Risk (Cellule d’expertise sur le risque d’incendie en milieu naturel). The cell warned that conditions from July 10 onward would be “very favorable” for the ignition of wildfires, with the risk potentially becoming “very high” around July 14 in Luxembourg and Namur provinces, according to RTBF.

Belgium is in the grip of its second major heatwave of summer 2026, following a deadly June heatwave that caused 1,747 excess deaths — the deadliest on record since measurements began in 2000. The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) forecasts an anticyclone maintaining hot, dry weather until at least July 15, with temperatures reaching or exceeding 30°C and no precipitation expected.

Key Developments

A pine forest of several hundred square meters burned down in Vresse-sur-Semois, Namur province, on Friday afternoon. Fire services were called in the late afternoon, and thanks to anticipatory staffing due to the drought, firefighters were able to mount a rapid and massive response, as reported by VRT NWS.

Vincent Verrue, attaché to the vigilance cell of the Department of Nature and Forests (DNF), explained the heightened danger: “A vegetation that is already dry will burn more easily than green vegetation. Wind is also an aggravating factor. Just imagine what we’ve all done to light our barbecue — using a blower or hairdryer to fan the embers. It’s exactly the same in nature.”

A northeast wind with gusts of 30-40 km/h is further drying vegetation, with relative humidity dropping below 30%. The EFFIS (Copernicus) European forecasting system classifies parts of Luxembourg province at “high to extreme” vegetation fire risk.

What Is Banned

The restrictions cover fireworks and pyrotechnic displays, campfires and bonfires, barbecues in public spaces, sky lanterns, and the burning of green or agricultural waste across all five provinces. In Luxembourg province, the ban extends to barbecues in designated areas, forestry and hunting fires, and the use of thermal weeders. Barbecues on private property remain allowed with caution, provided they are kept at a sufficient distance from dry vegetation and extinguishing equipment is nearby. Youth movement cooking fires are permitted under strict conditions, including raised fireboxes and constant adult supervision.

Fireworks have also been banned in the Brussels-Capital Region since March 2, 2026, with the prohibition extending until September 2, 2026.

France on Red Alert

The crisis extends well beyond Belgium’s borders. In neighboring France, 24 departments are under red heatwave alert, with temperatures reaching 40°C. Over 25,000 hectares have burned since the start of 2026 — double the amount in 2025 — and 32 people have been arrested on suspicion of starting fires, according to BFMTV. Traditional July 14 fireworks displays have been cancelled in many French municipalities due to the extreme fire risk.

Human Impact

The current heatwave follows the deadliest on record in Belgium. Between June 18 and July 1, 1,747 excess deaths were recorded, with Wallonia hit hardest at 76% excess mortality (919 extra deaths), compared to 31.4% in Flanders (682) and 60.9% in Brussels (159), as reported by Sciensano via VRT NWS.

Walloon Health Minister Yves Coppieters (Les Engagés) described the figures as “worrying,” noting that the consequences “are clearly greater than those of the heatwave in August 2020 and reach, in some areas, a level comparable to certain periods during the coronavirus crisis.”

Belgium’s national ozone and heat plan warning phase has been extended until at least July 17. Four municipalities — Bouillon, Rochefort, Léglise, and Manhay — have already imposed water use restrictions due to low river flow and dropping groundwater levels, as reported by RTL Info.

What’s Next

The fire bans in Walloon Brabant and Namur are currently set to expire on July 19, but extensions are likely if drought conditions persist. The Walloon Expertise Cell predicts the fire risk could become “very high” locally around July 14 in Luxembourg and Namur provinces.

With the UN warning of an intense El Niño expected between July and September, and scientists noting that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, Belgium’s infrastructure and emergency services face continued testing. The political debate over heat preparedness plans, air conditioning in care homes, and long-term climate adaptation strategies is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

Broader water restrictions across Wallonia may become necessary if the drought deepens, while the cross-border coordination between Belgian and French authorities on fire prevention and response will remain critical as the summer heat continues.