Limburg (Netherlands) Wildfire Near Venray Persists, WWII Ordnance Risk

A wildfire continues to burn in a nature reserve near Venray in the Dutch province of Limburg. While the fire is now considered under control, officials say it will take several more days to fully extinguish. Weather is warm, around 30 °C, with a steady southeast wind that aids firefighting, and the blaze remains within established containment lines.

Firefighters from across the Netherlands, supported by Chinook helicopters and drones, are battling the flames. The presence of unexploded World‑War‑II munitions has prompted the deployment of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Dutch Defence, which is mapping and securing any ordnance. No live explosives have been found yet, but the risk limits direct access to parts of the forest.

Brabant fire units are assisting without compromising their own regional capacity, and authorities have evacuated a nearby camping site and temporarily halted train services. The incident is part of a wider heat‑driven wave of vegetation fires affecting several European countries.