Hautes Fagnes Fire: Operations Limited by Weather, Evacuated Residents Return Home

Firefighting efforts in the Hautes Fagnes region faced limitations on Wednesday due to adverse weather, though operations continued throughout the night. Residents evacuated from two localities in Bütgenbach have been cleared to return home.

International support, comprising two Norwegian helicopters, two German helicopters, one Dutch helicopter, and two Swedish planes, remains on standby until Sunday. These resources were deployed through the European civil protection mechanism at Belgium's request.

Storms on Wednesday evening impacted ground operations, making terrain hazardous with poor visibility, fallen trees, mud, and difficult paths. Firefighters managed numerous flare-ups, particularly in the eastern sector near Cléfays. Approximately 200 personnel from Belgium and Germany were involved.

Authorities are hopeful for improved weather on Thursday to allow aerial firefighting to resume. Smoke plumes are visible in the vicinity, but air quality measurements on both the Belgian and German sides have been reassuring. The governor of Liège province requested employers facilitate the availability of volunteer firefighters.