Why Wildfires Are Becoming a Challenge for Belgium

Wildfires are often associated with Southern Europe, California or Australia. However, awareness is also growing in Belgium and Flanders that wildfire risks are becoming increasingly relevant. Longer periods of drought, rising temperatures and more extreme weather conditions mean that wildfires are no longer a distant concern.

According to experts, the urgency to better prepare critical infrastructure, buildings and communities for this new reality is increasing. Wildfires are evolving from being solely an environmental issue into a major challenge for emergency management, climate adaptation and fire safety, posing risks not only in forested areas but also in urban environments.

Climate change is increasing wildfire risk

Climate change is playing a central role in the growing risk of wildfires. Global average temperatures are rising by approximately 0.25°C per decade, while Europe is warming at roughly twice that rate. Higher temperatures and prolonged dry periods cause vegetation to dry out more quickly, making it far more susceptible to ignition.

Weather patterns are also changing. Rainfall is becoming more intense and less evenly distributed, while extended periods of drought are occurring more frequently. As a result, the season during which wildfires can occur is becoming significantly longer.

This combination of drier vegetation, longer heatwaves and more extreme weather conditions increases the likelihood of rapidly spreading wildfires with severe consequences for surrounding communities and ecosystems.

From reactive response to proactive emergency management

Traditionally, wildfire management focused primarily on intervention and firefighting. Today, this approach is increasingly shifting towards resilience, supported by a continuous cycle of prevention, risk management, response and recovery.

An integrated approach to wildfire management includes:

• risk assessments of wildfire-prone areas
• preventive measures for critical areas and infrastructure
• evacuation and crisis management plans
• fire-safe design of buildings and their surroundings
• scenario analyses and emergency preparedness
• collaboration between public authorities, emergency services and infrastructure operators

For organisations, this means that wildfire risks increasingly need to be incorporated into broader climate and safety strategies, developed in consultation and collaboration with the various stakeholders involved.

Fire safety in a changing climate

The increasing risk of wildfires demonstrates that fire safety extends beyond the traditional focus on buildings alone. The design of the surrounding environment, the landscape, infrastructure connections, the interface between buildings and nature, and the impact of climate change are all becoming increasingly important. This became clear during the so-called urban wildfire in London, where a wildfire in an urban area destroyed 19 homes.

Countries such as the United States, Canada and Australia have been investing in specialised wildfire strategies for many years. In Belgium, awareness is still less developed, but early indications show that demand for expertise is growing.

The combination of climate adaptation, emergency management and fire safety is therefore becoming increasingly important for public authorities, infrastructure operators, healthcare organisations and businesses operating in or near natural areas.

Preparing for a new risk profile

Wildfires are expected to occur more frequently in Northwestern Europe as well. This requires not only adapted emergency response capabilities, but also a fundamentally different approach to spatial development, infrastructure and safety.

By investing in prevention, risk assessment and integrated emergency management today, organisations can strengthen their resilience and limit the impact of future wildfires. Wildfires are no longer solely an ecological issue, but also a strategic challenge for safety, continuity and climate resilience.

Moreover, the risk is no longer confined to natural areas. Urban wildfires, including roadside fires, park fires and fires on private land, demonstrate how wildfire risks can extend into urban environments. Recognising this broader context is essential to fully understand and manage the risks we face today.