Due to the persistent drought all safety regions in the province scaled up to phase 2, the highest warning level. Emergency services are then extra alert and the fire brigade uses specialized equipment to quickly get a fire under control.
People who go into nature must also be extra alert, according to Valentijn Honing of the fire brigade in Gooi and Vechtstreek. He specializes in wildfire fighting.
Small mistakes can lead to big problems
The firefighter explains that most wildfires are caused by human actions. A hot exhaust, a piece of glass or a cigarette butt can be enough to start a fire. “Therefore, pay close attention to where you park your car and do not park it on the verge or on the tall grass,” says Honing.
According to him, this also prevents fire engines from being hindered if cars are parked everywhere in places where they are not allowed.
“In addition, smoking and barbecuing in nature are prohibited everywhere, especially during phase 2. Unfortunately, we still see it too often, just don’t do it. All it takes is something to go wrong: a small fire can quickly turn into a large fire as we saw yesterday in ‘t Harde. Just take the waste with you or throw it in the waste bin.”
Is it better to avoid nature now?
According to Honing, you should not avoid nature now that the highest warning level applies in all safety regions. “Nature is there to enjoy,” says the firefighter. “It only has a downside at the moment. If we all pay close attention, we can prevent a fire,” is his message.
In nature, people are the ‘eyes’ for detecting a fire. The sooner this is noticed, the better, the firefighter emphasizes. “A fire can spread at tens of meters per second, especially on the heath.”
What should you do if you see smoke or smell a burning smell?
“If in doubt, you should always call 112 or use the 112NL app. This is a very handy app that makes your location immediately visible to the control room. When you walk around in nature, you often have no clear landmarks. Describe carefully what you see and, above all, pay attention to your own safety,” says Honing. “Don’t stand still if it becomes too dangerous and make sure you don’t end up in the smoke.”
