Stories from Harderwijk · Netherlands

The Dutch Minister of Justice and Security stated that wildfires are now under control. International firefighting assistance, which was requested on Thursday due to major fires near Harderwijk and Weert, was concluded yesterday.

A light burning smell was detected, possibly from embers of a fire from the previous evening or a forest fire near Harderwijk. The situation is being monitored.

Several wildfires broke out in the Netherlands on Friday afternoon. Fires were reported in Kootwijk and Harderwijk in Gelderland, as well as in Ude in Brabant. A fire near the Efteling theme park was extinguished.

France and Germany are sending assistance to help extinguish wildfires in the Netherlands. The aid includes eight specialized firefighting vehicles and personnel. A firefighting helicopter equipped with a large water tank is also being deployed.

Firefighters are taking precautions by not entering a specific defense terrain where a large fire is burning. The safety region stated the operation is risky because the area contains defense munitions.

A severe natural fire has closed the A28 highway in both directions between Harderwijk and Weesep. The A20 highway is also experiencing disruptions between Schiedam and Gouda. Drivers are advised to use the A1 and A50 via Apeldoorn to bypass the affected areas.

A wildfire near Harderwijk is currently out of control due to high winds, according to reports on social media. Firefighting efforts may take several days, according to the national coordinator for natural fire management.

A fire broke out at a military training ground near Harderwijk during an exercise, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defence. No evacuations of nearby residents have been ordered at this time. Once the fire is under control, efforts will shift to managing the remaining embers, a process expected to last for days. Jeroen Klompe of Rijkswaterstaat stated the closure was implemented after the fire was reported to ensure motorist safety. The decision to close the road was made earlier this afternoon. The A28 highway is closed in both directions between Amersfoort and Zwolle due to a fire. Traffic is currently experiencing delays of approximately 30 minutes on the route from Amsterdam toward Apeldoorn and Voorst. The congestion is reported to be particularly heavy in the Zwolle area. Water dumping operations have ceased, and firefighting efforts have transitioned to ground-based methods.

A wildfire has broken out at a defense training ground, creating smoke clouds visible in the surrounding area. Fire departments have advised residents in the vicinity and parts of Flevoland to keep windows and doors closed due to smoke. The incident is currently active. A large fire has broken out on a defense training ground on the heath between Epe and Olst in Gelderland. Smoke clouds from the blaze are visible across a wide area. The Dutch Ministry of Defence has deployed a firefighting helicopter to assist in combating the blaze. The closure specifically affects the stretch between Harderwijk and Wezenpisteweg. Drivers are being diverted via Apeldoorn using the A1 and A50 highways. Local roads in the vicinity are also closed due to smoke development. A reporter is monitoring the firefighting efforts in the heart of the area.