The drought has divided the municipalities of Haute-Sûre

The three local authorities responsible for the areas surrounding the Haute-Sûre reservoir have been unable to agree on a unified approach to tackling the increased risk of fires on beaches and footpaths. Last Friday, the Esch-sur-Sûre council took preventative measures by imposing a strict ban on lighting fires and using barbecues in its lakeside areas.

At the same time, the neighbouring municipalities of Boulaide and Lac de la Haute-Sûre have opted for a more lenient approach. Rather than imposing outright bans, they have issued a joint statement urging residents and tourists to exercise caution in the face of severe drought. The authorities in these areas are relying on public responsibility, recommending that barbecues be held exclusively in designated safe areas. Holidaymakers are asked to keep fire-extinguishing equipment to hand at all times, not to scatter ashes on the ground, and to use special containers for their disposal. Further preventative recommendations include a strict ban on discarding cigarette ends and a request not to park cars in tall grass, which can catch fire quickly in high temperatures.

The chairpersons of the Boulaide and Lac de la Haute-Sûre councils also called for improved communication and coordination at regional level. In their view, the Upper Sûre Commission should serve as the ideal platform for developing uniform safety regulations that will be consistently applied in all settlements adjacent to the reservoir.