Wildfire near Weert forces Kempen Airport evacuation; part of nationwide surge in fires

A wildfire broke out on Thursday near Weert, in the province of Limburg, according to the regional safety authority. The fire is located in the area of Geuzendijk. Kempen Airport, which is mainly used for recreational aviation, is being evacuated as a precaution. Smoke from the fire is moving in the direction of Budel. It is part of a spree of wildfires throughout the Netherlands in the last few days.

The fire at the military training area covers 500,000 square meters, a spokesperson for the safety region said. The fire broke out around 1:15 p.m. and is continuing to spread. The asylum seekers’ centre in Budel is being completely evacuated due to the fire. Around 1,500 asylum seekers are currently staying in the former military barracks. It has not yet been announced where they will be relocated or for how long. The asylum seekers are staying at the former Nassau-Dietz barracks, which is the second-largest reception site in the Netherlands after the main center in Ter Apel.

It is still unclear whether the blaze is contained within the training area near Geuzendijk. According to the spokesperson, there are currently no indications of injuries from the wildfire. Drones are being used to search the area for any people who may still be present and to help map the spread of the fire for the fire service. It is not yet clear how many firefighting units are actively deployed.

The military training area lies near the Belgian border, and the spokesperson says there are also reports of smoke and nuisance coming from across the border. Firefighters from Belgium are heading to the area to assist in tackling the blaze.

An area of 500,000 square meters equals 50 hectares. By comparison, the wildfire near ’t Harde in the province of Gelderland, which started on Wednesday, damaged at least 500 hectares of natural area. Firefighters are still attempting to put out the blaze.

The Defense Helicopter Command (DHC) has announced on X that a Chinook transport helicopter is being deployed to assist in fighting the wildfire. Several Defense helicopters were used on Wednesday to help fight the large wildfire at the military training ground in ’t Harde in the Dutch province of Gelderland.

Meanwhile, another large wildfire has been burning further south in the province, near Kessel, since the evening hours of Wednesday, leading into Thursday. A Defense firefighting helicopter was also deployed to assist with the blaze.

The municipality of Peel en Maas imposed an emergency ordinance for the area surrounding the large wildfire between the Limburg towns of Helden and Kessel this morning.

Entry to the area is prohibited for the public, but residents, local business owners, and guests staying at campsites are allowed to remain. The use of drones is also banned within the restricted zone.

After the large wildfire in ’t Harde yesterday, firefighters had to fight a blaze on the Oirschotse Heide in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. The fire service expects the wildfire to be brought under control “within the coming hours,” according to the safety region.

In total, ten fire engines are currently being used to fight the fire, supported by logistics and water transport units. The regional safety authority also says a third platoon is on standby, which would add another six fire engines if needed.

A wildfire is also burning in the dune area along the border of Noord and Zuid- Holland, covering roughly 800 square metres. The Hollands-Midden safety region reports that smoke from the fire is being carried out toward the sea.

The wildfire is located in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes, west of the village of De Zilk, between Zandvoort and Noordwijk. Because it is difficult to bring water to the area, firefighters are using fire beaters, special tools used to beat down flames and disturb the surface fuel, to prevent the fire from spreading or flaring up again.