Dutch officials warn wildfires threaten forest care homes and parks
Care institutions and recreation parks located in natural areas face growing risks due to the rising number and severity of wildfires caused by prolonged drought, officials warned Saturday on Argos.
Ina Adema, King’s Commissioner of Noord-Brabant, and former Nature Minister Christianne van der Wal highlighted the increasing threat during the broadcast. The extreme dryness this spring, linked to climate change, has intensified the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the region.
Adema stressed the dangers of situating vulnerable facilities such as nursing homes deep within forested areas. “The reality is that currently many such locations exist in our province,” she said. In scenarios with multiple simultaneous wildfires, fire departments may be unable to respond promptly or with sufficient personnel and equipment.
Jelmer Dam, national coordinator for wildfires at Brandweer Nederland, told Argos, “The honest story is that due to the dynamic and large scale of wildfires, the fire department can no longer cope. That means the residual risk lies with society.”
For vulnerable populations, self-reliance is difficult, Adema said. She is reportedly holding “tense” discussions with care providers, warning, “It’s quite something to tell people: we cannot be sure if we can come to help.” She urged that wildfire risks be a major factor in decisions about new facility locations.
Recreation parks are also urged to prepare for the heightened wildfire risk. “The Efteling is situated in a heavily forested area. How do you ensure it can be evacuated safely?” Adema asked.
Van der Wal, who during her term allocated 70 million euros over five years for national wildfire policy, agreed. She noted that this funding is still minimal compared to the billions annually spent fighting floods.
“I live on the Veluwe, surrounded by campsites, care facilities, and villages in the forest. If something goes wrong, it goes really wrong,” Van der Wal said.
