Netherlands warns of heightened wildfire risk amid drought

The Dutch police have issued a public warning in the province of Groningen, urging residents to avoid discarding cigarettes or other flammable waste on streets and to take precautions such as not parking cars on dry grass and only barbecuing in designated areas. The alert follows recent small fires in forested areas and a fire near a large office building.

In the coastal municipality of Schouwen‑Duiveland, local authorities, the Safety Region Zeeland and the recreation association RECRA SD have launched a "Think like a firefighter" campaign. Free signage in English, Dutch and German is being distributed to tourism businesses to remind visitors to act responsibly during the hot, dry period. Mayor Jack van der Hoek stressed that visitor cooperation is essential to prevent nature fires.

Both initiatives aim to curb the rising risk of wildfires as the Netherlands experiences an extended dry spell.