Hautes Fagnes Trails Partially Reopen After Historic Wildfire
Authorities in Belgium have reopened a portion of the hiking trails in the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve, three weeks after the largest wildfire ever recorded in the country devastated more than 3,000 hectares of protected moorland. The burned area, however, remains strictly off-limits to the public as recovery and safety assessment efforts continue.
A Controlled Return to the Fagnes
According to RTBF, the partial reopening took effect on Saturday, September 5. A national road traversing the reserve now serves as the dividing line between accessible sectors and the fire-affected zone, which remains behind security barriers. Nadar barriers, tarpaulins, and clear signage mark the prohibition.
Approximately ten volunteer stewards have been deployed to remind visitors of the rules, monitor behavior, and direct walkers toward alternative hiking routes. “Yes, there are always people who try to go there,” said Gerd Xhonneux, a volunteer steward of the Fagnes, speaking to RTL. “That’s why we’re here too — first to inform people that there are other walks, and also to support the DNF and police to prevent people from entering the zone.”
Zero Tolerance Enforcement
Visitors who cross the barriers face immediate fines of up to 150 euros, and in more serious cases, police reports may be forwarded to the police tribunal where penalties can reach several thousand euros. Authorities have signaled a shift from prevention to enforcement. “We believe we’ve done quite a lot of prevention in recent weeks,” Julie Demoulin, commissioner at the Federal Police of Liège, told RTL. “There has been enormous communication, signage, and barriers, so we’re now entering a phase of repression.”
Many visitors encountered at the site on Saturday expressed understanding of the restrictions. One walker told RTBF: “Everything needs to be secured. We saw several firefighters who told us it was difficult to access, that trees were still collapsing. We won’t go until it’s accessible. And that seems logical to us, in any case.”
The Historic Fire
The fire began on August 14 in the Fagne des Deux-Séries near the Croix Mockel and spread rapidly through dry vegetation and peat, ultimately consuming approximately 3,366 hectares — an area comparable to the entire municipality of Verviers. According to Wikipedia, the blaze surpassed the previous Belgian record from 2011, which also occurred in the Hautes Fagnes.
The fire front extended roughly 27 kilometers, though not all areas within the perimeter actually burned. Belgian firefighting services received international assistance from Dutch CH-47 Chinook helicopters, Swedish Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss aircraft, Norwegian helicopters, and German firefighters.
Peat fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish, and re-ignitions have continued to challenge crews. As RTBF reported on August 31, wind gusts exceeding 60 km/h triggered renewed flare-ups, with about 70 personnel still mobilized at that time. More than 100 firefighters remained active in the eastern part of the Fagnes as of September 5.
The Liège public prosecutor’s office has opened a judicial investigation for involuntary arson. An RTBF investigation suggested the fire may have been sparked by agricultural machinery used for mowing on a plot approximately 300 meters from the Croix Mockel.
Road Reopenings and Economic Recovery
The N676, N672, and N68 national roads reopened to traffic on August 25 after roughly ten days of closure, as VRT NWS reported. Stopping and parking remain prohibited along these roads near the affected area, with speed limited to 50 km/h. The reopening allowed businesses whose activity had been hampered by circulation restrictions to resume normal operations.
The Domaine des Hautes Fagnes hotel in Ovifat reopened on August 27 after deep cleaning and safety checks. The hotel itself was not damaged by the fire.
Broader Policy Response
Following the drought and fires, the Walloon government submitted a request to the Codeco federal coordination committee to improve crisis management procedures, as L’Avenir reported. The government also adopted the first Walloon strategy for adapting to climate change, with priorities including prevention of wildfires in natural areas.
What to Watch For
The long-term ecological recovery of the Hautes Fagnes remains uncertain. While pioneer vegetation may recolonize the moors within two to three years, experts say it is currently impossible to predict whether the raised bogs can be fully restored. The burned area will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future as authorities assess safety risks and plan restoration efforts. The judicial investigation into the fire’s origin is expected to take several months to complete.