Major wildfire at military range prompts NL-Alert, nationwide smoke warnings

A major wildfire erupted around midday at the Artillery Shooting Range (ASK) near ’t Harde, according to the North and East Gelderland safety region. The wildfire is unusually large for the Netherlands, says Edwin Kok, National Coordinator for Wildfire Management at the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety (NIPV). He warned that, depending on weather conditions, firefighting efforts could continue for several days.

Smoke clouds are visible and can be smelled as far away as Amsterdam and the surrounding areas. “The control room is currently receiving many reports from people experiencing smoke nuisance,” the Amsterdam-Amstelland Safety Region said. It explained that the wind is carrying the smoke toward the capital, more than 70 kilometers away.

Authorities advise people affected by the smoke to keep windows and doors closed and turn off automatic ventilation systems. ANP journalists in Amsterdam also report a noticeable smell of smoke and describe the air as visibly grey and hazy.

The North and East Gelderland Safety Region has sent out an NL-Alert to warn residents around ’t Harde. The urgent message advises: “If you are in the vicinity of the fire, leave the area immediately.”

A large-scale firefighting operation has been launched, with extensive personnel and equipment deployed. The Ministry of Defense is supporting the effort with two Chinook helicopters fitted with Bambi Buckets, allowing them to release up to 7,600 litres of water per drop.

Emergency offices used the NL-Alert system to distribute warnings to people located in a fairly wide area covering parts of Noord-Holland, Flevoland, Gelderland, and Utrecht. The alert cautions people of fire with heavy smoke development at ’t Harde and in the Veluwe nature reserve.

Residents, tourists, and workers were told to stay out of the smoke, to close their windows and doors, and to switch off ventilation systems. The alert was sent to people in more populous areas, such as Almere, Lelystad, Hilversum, and parts of Amersfoort. The region stretches from the coast north of Swifterbant, to parts of Epe and Apeldoorn in the east, Soest at the south, and Muiden in the west.

Due to a prolonged dry period, most of the Netherlands is currently at increased risk of wildfires. Authorities in Gelderland had also warned of heightened fire danger. The cause of the blaze remains unknown. Earlier on Wednesday, minor wildfires occurred in Helden, Limburg, and Oosterhout, Noord-Brabant. Both incidents were swiftly contained by emergency services.

Kok confirmed that a national coordination centre has been established in Zeist in response to the ongoing dry conditions in the Netherlands. “There are multiple wildfires at the moment, so emergency response efforts must be carefully coordinated,” he said. “However, the main priority is currently the fire at ’t Harde, given its scale.”

The ASK at ’t Harde is a military training and live-fire facility. It is the sole site in the Netherlands where mortars and other artillery systems may be used. Defense Ministry planning showed that training on Wednesday included rifle and machine-gun fire, artillery pieces, and the use of explosives.

The ANWB said on X that the A28 between Wezep and ’t Harde has been closed in both directions due to the fire. Motorists are advised to detour via Apeldoorn using the A1 and A50.

The NIPV is a public research and knowledge centre focused on crisis management and fire services. It provides support to safety regions, the national government, and other partner organisations.