The Bikers’Festival, which was supposed to continue this Sunday at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, was interrupted due to the significant fires currently affecting the High Fens in Belgium.
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The Bikers’Festival will not reach its conclusion this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, the circuit being engulfed in thick smoke (photo above) that has invaded the region since the beginning of the weekend.
While the motorcyclists’ gathering had normally started on Saturday, the organizers announced the cancellation of the entire program planned for this Sunday.
Events banned in Malmedy and Stavelot
This decision follows the forest fires currently hitting the High Fens region, in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, mobilizing significant rescue resources: “This decision is necessary given the exceptional circumstances the region is currently facing,” explains the organization.
The cancellation follows a police order issued by the municipalities of Malmedy and Stavelot. It provides for the cancellation of all cultural and sporting events organized within the territories of the two municipalities. The goal is notably to free up the human and material resources necessary to deal with the fires and to prevent holding public events from further complicating the situation.
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“This measure allows the authorities and rescue services to fully focus on fighting the fires currently raging and on their containment,” specifies the Bikers’Festival.
Under control, but…
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is therefore directly affected by these exceptional measures. Located only a few kilometers from the fire, currently contained near Mont Rigi between Eupen and Malmedy, the Ardennes track is under surveillance as it is surrounded by a vast forest, even though the fire is limited only to the High Fens plateau.
Nearly 3000 hectares have already been devastated and although the fire is contained, the wind having shifted towards nearby Germany, it could resume towards the circuit depending on weather developments. Fortunately, rain is expected during the week and should help control the fire in the forested areas around the circuit.
The situation therefore seems under control before next weekend’s event, the ELMS (European Le Mans Series), a 4-hour race reserved for the LMP2 prototypes of this European endurance championship.