Precautionary measures following the presence of smoke and odors in Moselle linked to a fire in Belgium, causing a peak in atmospheric pollution of the "combustion" type

Updated on 19/08/2026

Since the beginning of the evening on Saturday, 15 August 2026, several areas in northern Moselle have been affected by the presence of smoke and odors characteristic of a fire. These are linked to a major forest fire currently ongoing in Belgium.

On Sunday, 16 August 2026, at 11 a.m., the accredited air quality monitoring association for the Grand Est region, ATMO Grand Est, triggered the atmospheric pollution alert procedure for the department of Moselle (pollutants involved: particulates and nitrogen oxides).

In the current context, regarding ozone pollution, the Prefect of Moselle reminds the public of the applicable measures:

* All open-air burning of green waste is prohibited – except in cases of public safety. Exceptions to the departmental sanitary regulation, article 84, are suspended;

* Open-air burning of agricultural residues is prohibited until the end of the episode;

* Sites locally responsible for the highest emissions implement the measures provided for in their ICPE authorization order in case of a level 1 pollution alert;

* Dust-generating works (demolition sites, etc.) on construction sites may only be carried out if simultaneous water spraying is used to suppress dust;

* Fireworks are prohibited.

The measures taken by the prefect will be lifted as soon as the alert procedure is lifted.

For additional information on air quality and the evolution of the alert procedure, please consult the ATMO Grand Est website:

<http://www.atmo-grandest.eu/>

Friday, August 14, 2026 - Summer-type atmospheric pollution peak

Emergency measures implemented by the prefect following a summer-type atmospheric pollution peak (pollutants involved: ozone).

On August 14, 2026, the accredited air quality monitoring association in the Grand Est region, ATMO Grand Est, triggered the air pollution alert procedure for the department of Moselle.

Given that the health impacts of air pollution are well established and that means exist to reduce pollutant emissions, the prefect of Moselle has issued an order to activate the emergency measures provided for in the alert procedure, effective from Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 00:00 across the entire department. The measures taken by the prefect are as follows:

* The local sites responsible for the highest emissions implement the measures provided for in their ICPE permit order in case of a level 1 pollution alert;

* On motorways and roads with separated carriageways, the maximum permitted speed for all vehicles is reduced by 20 km/h, without falling below 70 km/h. For coaches and heavy goods vehicles (>3.5t), this 20 km/h reduction in maximum permitted speed does not apply on sections limited to 130 km/h;

* Speed and anti-pollution checks on roads are carried out on the affected routes;

* Municipalities that have established emergency plans implement the most appropriate actions.

If the pollution episode continues, the measures outlined will be maintained and strengthened as of Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 00:00, through the following measures:

* the maximum permitted speed for vehicles is reduced by 20 km/h, without falling below 70 km/h, across the entire road network of the department;

* industrial sites responsible locally for the highest emissions implement the provisions set out in their ICPE authorization order in the event of a level 2 pollution alert.

Note that the following vehicle categories are not subject to the speed reduction:

* vehicles belonging to law enforcement and civil security forces;

* vehicles belonging to fire and rescue services;

* emergency medical vehicles (SMUR-ATSU).

The measures taken by the prefect will be lifted as soon as the alert procedure is lifted.

For additional information on air quality and the evolution of the alert procedure, please consult the ATMO Grand Est website: <http://www.atmo-grandest.eu/>

Associated documents

* [Download Prefectural Order - Summer atmospheric pollution peak

PDF - 1.40 MB - 14/08/2026](/contenu/telechargement/40476/304602/file/AP CAB_DS_SIDPC 2026 n°41_pollution atmosphérique estival.pdf)