Eight Hectares Destroyed as Fire Ravages Mechels Bos Nature Reserve
A wildfire in the Mechels Bos nature reserve in Maasmechelen, Belgium, has destroyed approximately eight hectares of woodland, firefighters confirmed on Monday. The blaze, which broke out on Sunday evening, was brought under control after an overnight operation, though smoldering peat layers continue to pose a challenge.
The Fire and Response
Firefighters from the East Limburg Fire Service (Brandweerzone Oost-Limburg) received the first reports of the fire on Sunday evening, July 12. The fire was located in a densely forested area of the Mechels Bos, adjacent to the Mechelse Heide heathland within the Hoge Kempen National Park.
“It took a while before we found the fire,” said Karen De Smedt, spokesperson for the East Limburg Fire Service, as reported by VRT NWS. “The fire was in a densely forested area, making it difficult for our vehicles to reach. That’s why we deployed a drone to determine the exact location.”
Three fire stations — Maaseik, Maasmechelen, and Lanaken — deployed approximately 30 firefighters to battle the blaze. An additional 4x4 tanker truck was requested from the Voeren station. By the early hours of Monday morning, the fire appeared to be under control, but it flared up again later, forcing firefighters to return to the scene. By late morning, the blaze was once again under control.
Fire Captain Dimitry Opdenacker described the operation as predominantly manual labor. “At the moment, about 30 people are busy extinguishing the fires. It’s mainly manual work,” he said. “We really have to drag the hoses across the terrain because it’s too overgrown to drive the vehicles here.” Firefighters were regularly rotated to prevent overheating amid the high temperatures.
The Peat Fire Challenge
A key concern for firefighters is the presence of peat layers (turflagen) in the ground, which continue to smolder beneath the surface. Peat fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish completely and can reignite days or even weeks later.
“We don’t expect the fire to spread further and that it will remain at 8 hectares,” De Smedt told VRT NWS. “It’s the peat layers in the ground that are burning now, that’s what we’re focusing on.” She added that the fire service would continue to monitor the situation closely in the coming days.
No evacuations were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Heatwave and Drought Conditions
The fire comes amid a severe heatwave sweeping across Belgium, with temperatures in Limburg province reaching 35 to 40 degrees Celsius. Code red heat warnings were in effect, and fire risk levels had been elevated to code orange or code red due to prolonged drought conditions that have dried out vegetation and peat soils, creating ideal conditions for wildfires.
A Pattern of Recurring Wildfires
This is the second significant wildfire in the Mechels Bos and Mechelse Heide area in just over a year. In May 2025, a devastating fire destroyed approximately 75 hectares of heathland in the same region, as previously reported by VRT NWS. That fire required 75 firefighters and 30 vehicles, with a helicopter and drones deployed for aerial reconnaissance. Three separate fire fronts were detected, leading to suspicions of arson.
In the aftermath of the 2025 fire, the Agency for Nature and Forest (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos) implemented preventive measures, including widening sand roads to improve fire service access and using sheep to control fast-growing grasses that increase fire risk. These measures were designed to slow the spread of future fires and give firefighters more time to respond.
Broader Implications
The recurrence of wildfires in the Hoge Kempen National Park area highlights growing concerns about wildfire risk in Western Europe. Climate projections for the region predict more frequent and intense heatwaves, extended drought periods, and consequently, elevated fire risks. The 2025 fire was the largest in the area’s recent history, while the 2026 blaze — though smaller at eight hectares — demonstrates that the region remains highly vulnerable.
With the cause of the latest fire still under investigation, questions about arson remain pertinent given the history of suspected malicious intent in the 2025 fire. A full ecological assessment by the Agency for Nature and Forest is pending.
What to Watch For
Fire services will continue monitoring the site for potential reignition of smoldering peat layers in the days ahead. The investigation into the fire’s cause will be closely watched, particularly given the suspected arson in the previous major fire. As heatwaves become more frequent, the effectiveness of preventive measures — including improved access roads, grazing programs, and public awareness campaigns — will be critical in mitigating future wildfire risks across Belgium’s natural reserves.