Fire in the High Fens - August 2026

Updated 21/08/2026 at 09:05

My stay in Waimes or Bütgenbach was interrupted during the weekend of 14 August. What happens with the nights I couldn't enjoy?

In light of how the situation was developing, and following the authorities' directives, we evacuated holidaymakers staying in these two municipalities in order to ensure their safety.

If your stay was interrupted in this way, our customer service team will contact you in the coming days.

My stay in Waimes or Bütgenbach is planned from 21 August. What should I do?

The evacuation order for the municipalities of Waimes and Bütgenbach has been lifted. Stays in this area can therefore go ahead.

You can find all information about road access to this area on the VisitWallonia.

We are monitoring the situation very closely and will keep you informed should your stay be directly affected.

My stay is planned outside Waimes and Bütgenbach. What should I do?

Currently, all our holiday homes are accessible and are not affected by smoke or odours. Tourist activities are also open. The Bütgenbach lake and the Eupen and Gileppe dams have reopened as well. Only the area around the High Fens plateau and Robertville lake remain inaccessible. The real-time situation is available at VisitWallonia (available in French only).

To find out the precise situation around your holiday home, we advise you to contact the owner 24 hours before your arrival. Our customer service team remains available for any other questions: https://en.ardennes-etape.be/help-center

Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and will contact you should your booking be directly affected. Unless you hear otherwise from us, your stay is considered to be maintained.

Is there an official website to follow how the situation develops?

Yes, there are several official sources to follow how the situation develops.

The authorities of the Province of Liège publish official information and recommendations relating to the fire on the website of the Governor of the Province of Liège: https://gouverneur.provincedeliege.be/fr/node/7923 (available in French only).

VISITWallonia has also created an FAQ and is closely following how the situation develops from a tourism perspective: https://visitwallonia.be/fr-be/3/en-pratique/avant-de-partir/faq-incendie-dans-les-fagnes (available in French only)