A major forest fire broke out on Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2025, in Achouffe, near Houffalize, in the province of Luxembourg. The fire, which began around 14:30, has already consumed nearly 100 hectares of land, fueled by persistent drought conditions and strong winds. Firefighters from various regions have been deployed to combat the flames, which are threatening both local properties and natural habitats.
According to the Service public de Wallonie (SPW), the call for assistance was received around 14:20, prompting a swift response from local fire departments. A total of 65 firefighters, including 45 from the Luxembourg rescue zone and 20 external firefighters, were called to action. They brought an impressive convoy of resources to the scene, including six forest fire engines, seven tankers, and seven various vehicles, as reported by the local authorities.
The fire's intensity was sufficient to trigger the "red plan," indicating the need for significant resources to manage the situation. Firefighters faced challenging conditions, with changing winds complicating their efforts to control the blaze. Commander Stéphane Thiry noted that the dry wood and presence of dead trees made the fire particularly difficult to manage.
In a fortunate turn of events, firefighters were able to save a house that was at risk of being engulfed by the flames, as well as a nearby fish farm. However, the situation remains precarious, with firefighters continuing to work late into the evening to extinguish the remaining hotspots.
The SPW had previously warned about the heightened risk of fires due to dry conditions and significant vegetation stress, which have been exacerbated by a lack of rainfall over the past month and a half. The region has seen little precipitation, leaving the ground and vegetation extremely dry, which contributes to the rapid spread of fires.
As the situation unfolded, the municipality of Houffalize imposed traffic restrictions in Achouffe, allowing only local residents access to the area. Access to the nearby woods of Achouffe and Wibrin was also prohibited to ensure the safety of both the public and the emergency responders.
Firefighters were not only battling the blaze in Achouffe but were also responding to multiple other incidents across the province. Reports indicate that six additional brush fires occurred on the same day, including one in Libramont at Rue du Menil, where flames broke out at 14:00, and another at 43 Côte du Monty in Hamipré at 14:15. A building fire was reported in Halanzy at 10 Rue des Prairies, with firefighters from Arlon, Aubange, and Etalle responding to the scene.
In Florenville, a hedge fire was reported at 70 Rue des Epéires at 15:00, followed by a garden fire at 2 Rue de la Forêt in Martelange at 17:00, and a brush fire affecting a house at 4 Rue du Hortay in Izel around 16:30.
The scale of the Achouffe fire prompted the SPW to issue alerts, warning walkers in the region to leave the area immediately due to the dangerous conditions. A message was sent in three languages to ensure that tourists were informed about the risks and to vacate the premises.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, firefighters remain committed to controlling the situation. However, they faced additional hurdles due to a lack of aerial support. A request for a helicopter equipped to drop water on critical areas was made, but unfortunately, no pilots were available at the time, leaving ground crews to rely solely on their resources.
As the night approached, firefighters prepared for a long battle against the blaze, with expectations that they would need to remain on-site throughout the night to prevent the fire from spreading further. The local authorities assured the public that they were monitoring the situation closely and that there were no immediate risks to the surrounding communities or infrastructure.
In summary, the forest fire in Achouffe represents a significant challenge for local firefighting efforts, with conditions that have been exacerbated by a prolonged dry spell and strong winds. The collaboration among various firefighting units and the proactive measures taken by local authorities reflect the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to protecting both lives and property.
