Three Summer Camps Shut Down Over Fire Safety Breaches

At least three summer youth camps in Belgium’s Luxembourg province were brought to an early end in late July after violations of fire prevention rules, as authorities enforce strict wildfire precautions during a hot, dry summer. Xavier Derenne, private secretary to the province’s governor, confirmed the cases on 31 July, telling La Libre Belgique that “at least three cases have come back to us: one in Daverdisse, a second in Bastogne and finally a third in Hotton.”

The closures follow a provincial decree that strictly prohibits open fires and fireworks in a bid to protect tinder-dry vegetation. The Brussels Times reported that the province reminded camp organisers that lighting fires and using fireworks are prohibited, and that youth camps may use cooking fires only under strict conditions: continuous supervision by an adult, sufficient distance from dry vegetation, and an extinguisher immediately available.

Camps in Daverdisse and Bastogne

The first camp ended after a group from Mortsel set off fireworks on 26 July while staying in Porcheresse, part of Daverdisse. According to L’Avenir, Mayor Patricia Poncin took a similar decision for the group: the expulsion was notified on Sunday and the camp left the site on Tuesday. Two days later, scouts from Fexhe-le-haut-Clocher lit a large fire close to woodland in Senonchamps, near Bastogne. “Safety admits no exception,” the mayor said as the camp was stopped.

Expulsion in Hotton

On the evening of 29 July, scouts from Oostakker set off fireworks during their final night at Hotton, despite the governor’s ban. Mayor Philippe Courard immediately signed an expulsion order, with police delivering it the following morning, L’Avenir reported. “It was necessary to make a stand!” Courard said, describing the sanction as a firm response to irresponsible behaviour.

Analysis: A Province on High Alert

The crackdown comes with wildfire risk at elevated levels. RTL Info reported that from 29 July, Wallonia’s public service raised the fire risk to “high” in forested areas and “very high” in open terrain for the provinces of Liège, Namur and Luxembourg, after five fires were recorded in a week. The service’s assessment weighed rainfall, wind, temperature and soil humidity, and it urged the public not to light fires, not to park in tall grass and to keep a hose nearby.

The episode also highlights a new seasonal tension: campfire traditions that have long defined summer camps in the region now carry far greater risk when vegetation is this dry. Mayors are signalling that the rules will be enforced to the letter.

What’s Next

Provincial authorities have warned that other camps may also have breached the rules without the province being informed. With the heat and drought expected to persist, camp organisers can expect continued scrutiny. The message from officials is unambiguous, in the words of the Bastogne mayor: “Safety admits no exception.”