The Netherlands battles multiple wildfires, as Europe steps in to help

For the first time ever, the Netherlands has asked France, Germany, and Belgium to help fight a wave of wildfires burning through military training grounds and nature reserves. 

The French and German contingent comprises eight vehicles, with crews, command staff, and a helicopter equipped to carry water for aerial drops, RTL Nieuws reports.

The Netherlands requested foreign aid

For Dutch firefighters, the situation had already pushed resources to their limits before foreign support arrived.

“We had to deploy almost everything we have,” Fire Service Commander Anton Slofstra said. Belgium had already sent support the previous day. The first foreign platoon arrived in Brabant on Thursday morning. 

Slofstra called the situation unprecedented. “We have never done this before,” he said. 

“The Netherlands often provides aid and is now requesting it for the first time,” Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel echoed, in a post on X. “We have applied for international aid through the European UCPM.”

Four provinces, multiple fires

Blazes broke out across four provinces over two days. Oirschot in Brabant and Weert in Limburg saw the worst of it, both on army-owned terrain.

The Gelderland town of ‘t Harde had seen the first major blaze the night before at another military training area.

A further, smaller incident was reported on army land in Assen, Drenthe, RTL Nieuws reports.

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Not all fires were on Defence land. Firefighters were also called to the dunes at Noordwijk and to Waalwijk, where part of a shopping boulevard burned.

Whether military exercises directly started any of the fires remains under investigation.

Airport had been raising the alarm for months

Kempen Airport, which had to be evacuated when flames spread from the adjacent military terrain, had repeatedly flagged the danger to the Defence Ministry, NOS reports.

“We’ve been saying for months that something could go wrong,” an airport spokesperson said. The concern centred on exercises involving potential ignition sources like hand grenades, explosives, flares, and live ammunition. 

The pace and intensity of exercises had increased recently, the spokesperson added.

When ‘t Harde went up, the airport fired off another message to senior Defence figures, warning that Weert could be next. It did, the very next day, reports NOS. 

Military keeps training, but adjusts

Stopping exercises wasn’t an option, General Onno Eichelsheim, Commander of the Armed Forces, argued. The army needs to train to function when real emergencies hit. He did, however, acknowledge that dry-weather protocols may need updating.

Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz (VVD) announced short-term adjustments: live flames, dummy rounds, and pyrotechnic devices have been put on hold for now, reports RTL Nieuws.

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Prime Minister Rob Jetten commented on the bravery of the firefighters, saying, “Much respect for the men and women of the fire department” on X. 

For now, the fires are under control, according to RTL Nieuws. 

Were you caught in the smoke, or did you see the fires from where you live? Tell us in the comments.