On 7, 8 and 12 October, the municipality of Kalmthout is having three new fire-fighting water wells constructed in the Kalmthoutse Heide. The wells will be around 80 metres deep and will ensure that the fire service has access to water on site in the event of a wildfire. This could save valuable time when fighting fires quickly.
The boreholes are located at the Zuid car park, halfway along the path between Verbindingsstraat and Mont Noir, and at the Molensteen along the Schaap footpath. The works will cause only minimal disruption. Walkers can simply pass through the worksite.
Part of a cross-border approach
The new fire-fighting water wells represent the next step in strengthening the natural fire resilience of the ‘ Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide ’. Investments have also already been made on the Dutch side in additional fire-fighting water facilities. Earlier this year, three fire-fighting water boreholes were constructed there. In 2026, new staging areas for fire engines were also added alongside these wells.
In this way, a network of facilities is gradually being established on both sides of the border. Together with, amongst other things, improved accessibility, wildfire detection, risk analysis and cooperation between the emergency services, this contributes to better preparedness for wildfires in the Grenspark.
The construction of the three new wells in Kalmthout is therefore a new step in this joint approach.
