Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A heath fire burned down more than 1 hectare of land at a terrain between Torenlaan and Zwartberg airport this afternoon in Genk. More than 1 hectare of heathland area was engulfed during this fire incident.
Today, a heath fire erupted between Torenlaan and Zwartberg Airport in Genk, causing damage across more than one hectare of land. The flames in the grass field transformed into an adjacent forest fire before firefighters established control over both blazes.
Firefighters stay present at the location because windy and dry conditions increase the likelihood of rekindling even though crews successfully extinguished active flames.
At 1:30 PM on May 3, East Limburg fire brigade members arrived to find the spreading wildfire making tree-to-tree flames, which delayed suppression work. Commander Wim Petit indicated that firefighters required about an hour to suppress the fire, while continued efforts remained active to eliminate any remaining flames.
The coupled effects of dry environmental conditions and weak wind patterns have extended the crisis danger point, thus demanding ongoing surveillance efforts. The civil authorities verified that Torenlaan maintained accessibility while airport services continued without interruptions.
“When we arrived, the fire was spreading rapidly,”
says Wim Petit of the East Limburg fire brigade.
“The flames were between the trees, which made it difficult to extinguish. After an hour, we had the fire under control, but we were still busy post-extinguishing to be able to properly extinguish the hot spots. That could take a few more hours.”
Due to the ongoing drought, there is a risk that the heat could burn again. The fire brigade, therefore, remains vigilant.
“Everything is bone dry, and there is also some wind, which fuels the fire,”
the commander adds.
What is the historical context of heathland fires in the Genk Region?
Heathland fires happen fairly often in Limburg province, especially during the dry summer season. Statistics from the East Limburg Fire Brigade demonstrate that the region encounters 15 to 20 vegetation fires each year, most intensely between April and September. In 2022, a fire close to Zwartberg spread across 2.5 hectares of land until multiple ground crews and aerial defences intervened to suppress it. Recent data from the Belgian Royal Meteorological Institute shows Limburg province suffered from prolonged drought throughout the past years, as 2023 experienced a 30% reduction in rainfall compared to the standard 10-year measurements.
The Zwartberg area remains highly susceptible to wildfire dangers because its soil contains low water-absorption characteristics. Researchers from the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) classified Limburg as a high-risk wildfire territory in a 2021 study, where human behaviour triggering fires became the main reason behind 70% of all wildfires. Wildfire incidents are handled with speed through specialised Genk fire brigade units that deploy brush trucks together with portable water tanks.
The prevention efforts include nature reserve fire bans throughout the year and public education initiatives organised by local governmental departments. Future studies from the Flemish Environment Agency indicate that extreme drought events will become more common, creating higher potential fire dangers. Heathland fires in the area historically stay within 5-hectare boundaries, yet immediate response remains essential to stop bigger fires from spreading.
