Firefighters from the Hesbaye emergency services are concerned about the impact of extreme heat and urge caution.
On Saturday afternoon in Waremme, firefighters responded to a deliberate vegetation fire caused by the burning of green waste over 100 metres away from residential areas.
“The presence of strong winds during extreme heat periods increases the risk of fires, making activities that generate flames or heat, such as incineration or using thermal devices, potentially forbidden according to current regulations,” the firefighters emphasised.
Later in the evening, after 19:00, a hay baler caught fire in a field at Chapon-Seraing (Verlaine). One of the hay bales ignited, setting the trailer ablaze. Firefighters contained the flames before they could spread to the field.
Michaël Robert, spokesperson for Hesbaye emergency services, remarked, “Many farmers are working in the fields, and the current heat and occasional gusts create ideal conditions for fire outbreaks. Although there’s no formal ban, we remain vigilant. Our team is ready, and our tankers are prepared. We can request help from neighbours or Civil Protection for additional resources as needed.”
An hour later, firefighters were called again by police who noticed suspicious smoke at Ville-en-Hesbaye (Braives) during a patrol. A field fire had quickly grown into a front of flames measuring about 100 metres. Michaël Robert noted, “People often don’t realise how quickly fires can spread. They barely have time to grab a hose before it’s too late. Pine trees are dry, and their needles create a very dry carpet on the ground.”
The Hemeco emergency zone assisted Hesbaye services in this intervention.
