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The fire broke out around 1 p.m. due to an unknown cause. Around 6 p.m. more than 30 hectares of forest and heather had already gone up in flames. During the after-fire, the fire, fueled by the wind, seized itself again. “Fire from the previous fire created a new fire,” explained the fire department spokesman.
The fire brigade tries to stop the new seat of the fire on Monday evening with two so-called stop lines. Stop lines are wide strips that are kept very wet to prevent the fire from going over it. “In that stop line we put as many firefighters and equipment as possible to stop the fire,” said the spokesman.
If the fire fails to stop, the fire brigade fears it will spread to neighboring German coniferous forests. “Coniferous wood is very flammable,” said the spokesman.
Because of the turning of the wind, part of the Heide industrial estate between Herkenbosch and Roermond is now covered in smoke. According to the fire brigade, companies in this area and the neighboring prison are not at risk.
A wildfire is also raging in the Mariapeel nature reserve near Deurne (North Brabant).
Ⓒ ANP
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Large wildfire also in Brabant
Emergency services evacuated the Wellenshof care center in Liessel (Brabant) on Monday evening in connection with the smoke from a large fire in the neighboring Deurnese Peel. The 24 residents were transferred to Land van Horne care center in Weert. A number of residents may have been infected with the corona virus. That is why they are transported by special taxi bus, the municipality of Deurne announced. The other residents go to Weert by normal taxi.
A large part of Southeast Brabant is Monday evening under the smoke of a large peat fire in the Deurnese Peel nature reserve. The emergency services have called on people in the region to close windows and doors and turn off the ventilation via several NL Alerts.
The fire broke out on Monday around 12.45 for an unknown cause and has since spread through the strong wind. At least 100 hectares fell prey to the flames. The fire started to decrease in intensity around 7.30 p.m., partly due to the use of a Chinook fire-fighting helicopter from Defense. It can throw out 10,000 liters of water from a water bag in one go. The fire brigade calls the use of the helicopter “a significant addition to our effectiveness.”
Due to the fire, Liessel, Asten, Someren, Eindhoven and Eersel, among others, are under smoke. Residents of the affected region can find more information on the website of the municipality of Deurne. This is always provided with current information.
Camping
Five mobile homes have gone up in flames. The fire brigade was able to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent caravans.
According to the fire brigade, one person was injured and transported to the hospital by ambulance. The fire brigade further reports that an emergency ordinance applies in the area and the campsite was therefore probably closed. It is a campsite on the Wittebergweg.
Ⓒ News United / Dennis Nengerman
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The strong wind allowed the fire to spread quickly and the fire was accompanied by considerable smoke development. It was therefore advised to close windows and doors and to stay out of the smoke.
The fire master signal could be given at 2.30 p.m., but the fire brigade is still busy with after-fire work for a few hours.
It is still unknown how the fire could have started.
Also risk in Belgium
The risk of fire in nature reserves in the Flemish provinces of Antwerp and Limburg is extremely high. Due to the persistent drought and predicted strong easterly wind, code red is in force, the Agency for Nature and Forest reports Monday.
It mainly concerns pine forests and heather soils. The nature reserves cannot be closed for practical reasons, but the service advises against entering them. If a fire breaks out, the fire brigade deploys additional equipment and manpower. Fire towers are manned where necessary.
The agency gives extra tips for those who still want to go into nature: stay at the edge of the forest or nature reserve, do not leave shiny material lying around, do not just throw away cigarettes and continue to respect the corona measures, such as keeping sufficient distance and moving.
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