Major wildfire breaks out near Belgian border in Noord-Brabant

A major wildfire has broken out in a forested area near Bergeijk in Noord-Brabant, the regional safety authority said. About 14 firefighting vehicles are working to contain the flames, with access to the site made easier by existing paths that emergency vehicles can use, according to a spokesperson.

The fire initially covered an area of about 50 by 50 meters before rapidly expanding. The spokesperson warned that the ongoing dry conditions are making the landscape highly vulnerable, with even a small area capable of developing into a major wildfire.

The fire had started to decrease in intensity by around 3:30 p.m., according to the fire department. Authorities have not yet declared the blaze under control, with extinguishing efforts expected to continue for several more hours. Forecast thunderstorms and strong winds could still affect the situation and potentially complicate firefighting operations.

The fire is burning in a remote area between the municipalities of Bergeijk and Valkenswaard, near the Belgian border. The location is sparsely populated, with only limited buildings nearby.

The fire is specifically burning along the Bergeijksedijk, in a patch of forest spanning between Valkenswaard, Bergeijk, and the village of Borkel en Schaft. Authorities have completely closed off the area and the Bergeijksedijk to traffic, urging citizens and onlookers to stay away so emergency routes remain clear.

Fire Department Officer of Service Ramon Oomen confirmed that approximately 100 by 30 meters of forest land has been destroyed by the flames.

Among the 14 emergency vehicles deployed, the fleet specifically includes four major fire engines. Because the emergency vehicles could only drive up to a certain point via the forest paths, crews had to manually couple long supply hoses together across a significant distance to deliver water to the final, deepest section of the fire pocket.

This while the massive wildfire burning in the Boschhuizerbergen nature reserve near Oostrum in the municipality of Venray has dramatically expanded overnight and remains not under control. The emergency response has been upgraded to GRIP 3, handing administrative crisis control directly to Venray's mayor.