A large wildfire on the Oirschotse Heide, west of Eindhoven, continues to keep firefighters on high alert. While crews have managed to bring the flames under control on one side, the opposite flank remains active and is still spreading. According to the fire service, the blaze currently covers roughly 500 by 500 meters.
On the Ground
Although the fire continues to burn, the fire department does not expect it to spread beyond the current perimeter. Crews on the heathland anticipate working through the night to secure the remaining active edge and prevent any chance of reignition.
Roughly 130 firefighters are on site, tackling the blaze from two directions. They are supported by twenty fire engines and several water tankers. Tankers must shuttle continuously due to limited water access in the area. A drone is being used to track the fire’s behaviour from above. It also guides the teams on the ground, helping them stay ahead of flare‑ups in the dry terrain.
Cause Unclear
Extremely dry vegetation combined with strong winds has allowed the flames to move rapidly, creating an unusually intense incident for this region. “We don’t often see a fire of this magnitude”, a spokesperson said.
The cause of the blaze is still unknown. Soldiers were conducting training exercises on the Oirschotse Heide when the fire began, but it is not yet clear whether these activities contributed. Once the fire is fully extinguished, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee will investigate the circumstances.
Smoke Drifting
No evacuations are required at this time. However, smoke is drifting toward nearby villages, including Oostelbeers and Diessen. Residents have received NL‑Alerts advising them to avoid the smoke, close windows and doors, and switch off ventilation systems.
Nation-wide damage
The Oirschotse Heide is not the only nature reserve affected today. Several parts of the Netherlands have reported wildfires, prompting additional NL‑Alerts to warn the public about smoke and air quality risks.
@anp | NEWSBRAINPORT
