The major fire in the Netherlands has finally been brought under control
In the Netherlands, a large-scale wildfire has been brought under control after several days of fighting. The fire broke out at a military training ground and spread rapidly due to strong winds, according to NOS.
A large forest fire that broke out at a military training ground near the town of ’t-Harde in the Veluwe region has been brought under control, according to local emergency services. The fire has been completely extinguished, but work at the site continues. Representatives from the Ministry of Defense remain in the area to prevent the fire from reigniting.
The fire started on Wednesday during military exercises. Cannons and explosives were used at the training ground, which covers about 500 hectares. Due to strong winds, the fire spread rapidly, and thick smoke rose high into the sky and reached as far as the United Kingdom. Due to the smoke and strong odor, an alert was issued in several regions via the NL-Alert system. Despite this, no evacuation took place—people remained in their homes.
Firefighters managed to contain the spread of the fire on the very first night. Although stronger winds posed a risk of new flare-ups, the situation was kept under control.
Firefighting units from across the country were deployed, along with specialized equipment, including firefighting helicopters and armored vehicles from the Ministry of Defense. These vehicles are used in case there are any remaining munitions at the training ground that could explode.
In addition, fires broke out in other parts of the Netherlands, particularly at military facilities. Local rescue workers were assisted by colleagues from Germany and France.
An investigation into the causes of the fires is currently underway. Law enforcement officials are interviewing witnesses and determining which units were conducting the exercises and whether safety protocols were followed. “We are verifying whether the exercises were properly registered and whether all protocols were followed,” a military police spokesperson said.
As a reminder, a series of forest fires broke out in the Netherlands over the past day, some of which started at military training grounds. The fire, having already engulfed large areas, reached the airport grounds, prompting the evacuation of people.
