Limburg wildfire continues to blaze with smell of smoke as far as Friesland and Drenthe

Yesterday morning, a wildfire broke out in Oostrum in North Limburg. Today, emergency services continue to fight the flames.

The fire continues to blaze, NOS reports, with the smell of smoke being reported to 112 as far as Friesland and Drenthe.

If the fire continues to spread, Brabant and Gelderland could soon also be effected by the smoke.

Do not call 112 if you can smell it

Emergency control rooms in both Drenthe and Fryslân have become overwhelmed by calls reporting the smoke.

However, the Drenthe safety region tells NOS that anyone who smells smoke in the region shouldn’t immediately call 112.

“Only when a source of fire is visible, for example when smoke is rising, should you call 112,” a spokesperson says.

A spokesperson from Fryslân has a similar message, telling NOS that “the control room is reachable, but there is no need to report this.”

The Limburg safety region is advising that anyone experiencing smoke keep their pets and livestock indoors if possible. They also recommend keeping windows and doors closed.

Could burn until at least Wednesday morning

It’s going to be a long night for firefighters. According to Mayor Michiel Uitdehaag of the municipality of Venray, the fire is expected to burn until at least 9 AM tomorrow.

But there is some good news: no one has been hurt.

And there’s also some good/bad news: a thunderstorm may be coming.

This is good in that this could also mean rain will fall on the fire. However, it’s bad when you consider that, well, there may be lightning too.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮