Belgium Wildfire Update: Sourbrodt Residents Return Home

Sourbrodt, a village in Belgium's eastern Ardennes, allowed its roughly 500 evacuated residents to return home at 21:00 on Monday after a devastating Belgium wildfire in the High Fens nature reserve that has scorched more than 3,000 hectares since Friday. The municipality of Waimes announced the decision on social media, saying conditions were now 'sufficiently safe' for residents to leave the sports centre where they had slept for two nights. About 100 people evacuated from nearby Bütgenbach remain displaced, with no return date yet confirmed.

What happened in Sourbrodt and Bütgenbach?

The evacuation order was issued on Saturday as the blaze in the High Fens nature reserve expanded rapidly from about 80 hectares to a record-breaking 3,000 hectares by Sunday. Around 500 Sourbrodt residents were moved to a sports centre, while another 100 people left Bütgenbach. The Waimes municipality confirmed on Monday evening that Sourbrodt residents could go home from 21:00, citing 'sufficiently safe' circumstances. Bütgenbach's return timing has not been announced, and residents there are still waiting for official clearance.

High Fens wildfire: scale and emergency response

The fire erupted on Friday and has become the largest wildfire in Belgium's modern history, surpassing the previous record set by a 2011 blaze. Roughly 500 Belgian emergency responders are deployed, supported by EU civil protection teams. The Netherlands sent two Chinook helicopters over the weekend and one more on Monday, the Dutch air force said on X. Swedish water-bombing aircraft and helicopters from the Czech Republic and the Netherlands were activated through the EU civil protection mechanism. Firefighters are focusing on defensive lines because peat bogs, heathland and wooden boardwalks make ground access extremely difficult, forcing crews to rely on aerial resources.

Why is this fire so hard to control?

The High Fens is Belgium's largest nature reserve, with ancient sphagnum bogs over 10,000 years old. These peat soils burn slowly and can smoulder underground for weeks, making mop-up operations especially long. Monday's rain slowed the fire's spread, but the ground remains dry and the blaze is still not under control. Belgian authorities estimate containment by Wednesday at the earliest, while Interior Minister Bernard Quintin warned that extinguishing the remaining hotspots could take weeks.

Key firefighting resources deployed

• 500 Belgian emergency responders
• 2 Dutch Chinook helicopters over the weekend, plus 1 more on Monday
• Swedish water-bombing aircraft via the EU civil protection mechanism
• Czech Republic helicopters
• 250+ firefighters from 15 Belgian zones plus German and Luxembourg teams

Impact and what happens next

No homes have been reported damaged, but the environmental toll is severe. EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib called the blaze a sign of 'climate upheaval,' noting the early wildfire season at northern latitudes during a heatwave with temperatures up to 37°C. The fire is part of a wider European wildfire crisis in 2026 affecting France, Germany and the United Kingdom. As residents return, authorities urge caution near the burn zone. The municipality of Waimes has not yet lifted all restrictions, and Bütgenbach evacuees must wait for official clearance. The Dutch Chinook helicopters remain on standby as cross-border firefighting cooperation continues.

FAQ

When can Sourbrodt residents return home?

Sourbrodt residents were allowed to return from 21:00 on Monday evening after the municipality judged conditions sufficiently safe.

How many hectares has the High Fens wildfire burned?

More than 3,000 hectares have burned, making it the largest wildfire in Belgium's modern history.

Is the High Fens wildfire under control?

No. Rain slowed expansion on Monday, but the fire is not yet under control. Authorities hope to contain it by Wednesday.

Why are peat bogs making firefighting difficult?

Peat soils burn slowly and can smoulder underground for weeks, while the terrain limits ground vehicle access, forcing reliance on helicopters and water bombers.

How many people were evacuated?

About 500 people from Sourbrodt and 100 from Bütgenbach were evacuated. Bütgenbach residents have not yet been given a return date.