Fire damages 6,000 square metres of dunes on Belgium’s coast
A fire burned about 6,000 square metres of dunes between Wenduine and Blankenberge on Sunday, 12 July, disrupting road and tram traffic before firefighters brought it under control.
The fire damaged a sensitive coastal landscape, temporarily disrupted a principal road and public-transport connection, and underscored the elevated risk of nature fires during prolonged dry weather.
Updated 14 July 2026, 10:00 CEST — Firefighters brought a fast-moving dune fire between and under control on Sunday, 12 July, after it damaged about 6,000 square metres of vegetation. The , known as , provided the revised damage estimate on Monday, according to La Libre, La DH and The Brussels Times.
The fire began shortly after 16:00 near the Wrakhoutbrug bridge, on the coastal strip between and . Het Nieuwsblad reported that several fire sites were identified along a stretch of roughly 200 to 300 metres. Fire crews controlled the flames after about an hour and remained to extinguish residual hotspots. The cause had not been established by Monday, told The Brussels Times.
The emergency operation temporarily closed the coastal road and halted the Coast Tram through the affected area. Het Nieuwsblad reported that deployed replacement buses and that trams were able to pass again at about 19:30. spokesperson Dries Derudder told The Brussels Times that the nearby bridge escaped damage and that only several fences required repair.
Early reporting placed the burned area as high as two hectares, but subsequently assessed the damage at approximately 6,000 square metres. That later figure is used here because the agency manages coastal infrastructure and inspected the site after the fire. MDK said no active ecological restoration was required because the dune vegetation was expected to regenerate naturally.
The incident came during dry conditions that raised the wider risk of fires in Flemish nature areas. On 13 July, Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns announced code orange for fire danger across all Flemish provinces. guidance defines orange as high fire danger and prohibits smoking or making fires in forests and designated nature areas.
Dunes are more than recreational landscapes: they form part of the coast’s natural protection against the sea. An redevelopment completed in in 2024 illustrates how the Flemish authorities combine coastal defence, habitat management and public access. For residents and visitors, the immediate disruption has ended, but caution remains necessary in dry vegetation. Authorities have not announced a cause, leaving the origin of the fire as the main unanswered question.
Impact
Regional — The direct impact was concentrated between Wenduine and Blankenberge: the Kustbaan closed temporarily, Coast Tram services stopped, and several dune fences require repair.
Local — The disruption was concentrated on the coastal corridor between Wenduine and Blankenberge. Authorities temporarily closed the Kustbaan, while De Lijn suspended Coast Tram movements through the affected area. Both road and tram traffic resumed after firefighters controlled the blaze. MDK later found that about 6,000 square metres of dunes had burned and that several dune fences needed repair. The incident therefore affected local residents, day visitors and passengers travelling between neighbouring coastal resorts, although the transport interruption was temporary.
What it means for you
The fire is under control and the temporary Kustbaan and Coast Tram interruptions have ended, so the article identifies no continuing travel restriction. Visitors heading to Wenduine or Blankenberge should nevertheless respect damaged dune fencing and any locally marked access limits while repairs are pending. During prolonged dry weather, avoid flames, discarded cigarettes or other possible ignition sources in dunes and nature areas, and report smoke or fire immediately to emergency services. Anyone planning a coastal trip should check De Lijn and local traffic information for current conditions rather than relying on the disruption reported for 12 July.
Who, where and what
Key people, places and terms in this story
Belgian province containing the affected coastal locations.
Country in which the incident occurred.
Coastal city at the other end of the affected corridor.
Coastal region where the dune fire and transport disruption occurred.
Seaside section of De Haan beside the affected dune area.
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Seaside section of De Haan beside the affected dune area.
Coastal city at the other end of the affected corridor.
Belgian province containing the affected coastal locations.
Coastal region where the dune fire and transport disruption occurred.
Country in which the incident occurred.
West Flanders municipality that includes Wenduine.
Coastal road temporarily closed during the emergency response.
Fire on 12 July 2026 that damaged approximately 6,000 square metres of dunes.
Flemish coastal authority that assessed the burned area and damaged fencing.
Abbreviated name of the Flemish Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services.
Public-transport operator responsible for the interrupted Coast Tram service.
Coastal tram service temporarily interrupted by the fire.
Regional authority providing nature-fire prevention guidance.
Sources & evidence
- View sourceLa LibrePrimaryprimary· lalibre.be· 14 July 2026Retrieved 25 August 2026· 80 days ago· Dated
- View sourceLa DHcorroborating· dhnet.be· 14 July 2026Retrieved 25 August 2026· 80 days ago· Dated
- View sourceThe Brussels Times with Belgacorroborating· brusselstimes.com· 13 July 2026Retrieved 25 August 2026· 81 days ago· Dated
- View sourceHet Nieuwsbladcorroborating· nieuwsblad.be· 12 July 2026Retrieved 25 August 2026· 82 days ago· Dated
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This briefing was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by a Belgium Impulse editor before publication. methodology.