Updated 18/08/2026 at 10:22
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 is still in place by decision of the authorities but will be lifted in the coming days.
The situation is evolving rapidly and may still change over the next few days, particularly depending on weather conditions. We therefore invite you to wait a few more days before making a decision about your stay.
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, most of our holiday homes are accessible and are not affected by smoke or odours. Tourist activities are also open, with the exception of the area around the Hautes-Fagnes – Eifel Nature Park as well as the Eupen and Gileppe dams. The real-time situation is available at https://visitwallonia.be/fr-be/3/en-pratique/avant-de-partir/faq-incendie-dans-les-fagnes (available in French only)
The fire is affecting a localized area of the Ardennes: according to the authorities' directives, only travellers in the municipalities of Waimes and Bütgenbach are currently being evacuated.
To find out the precise situation around your holiday home, particularly regarding any possible smoke or odours, 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-centerr
As the situation is evolving rapidly, we invite you to wait before making a decision about your stay. Our teams are following developments closely 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)