He hopes that brown frogs and common toads were able to dive deep into a fen or pool last week when the wildfire broke out. But Christ-Jan Nederlof, member of the KNNV nature association, fears the worst. The fire that raged on the defense grounds in ‘t Harde is “an unmitigated disaster for all populations of amphibians and reptiles,” he says. “The common toad is a nocturnal animal and was probably among vegetation or in shallow burrows during the day. It probably did not survive.”
Nederlof, a self-proclaimed “reptile nut” who has visited the site several times in recent years under supervision for research with the Reptile Amphibian Fish Research Netherlands (RAVON) foundation, is also concerned about the viper and the smooth snake. These are classified as vulnerable on the Red List. And it is mating time for reptiles: they are more active, less shy and more often on the surface. “And even if the animals have survived, they still have a problem: their food has disappeared and they are forced to move to undisturbed areas.”
Many insects – especially spiders – didn’t stand a chance
And thanks to previous wildfires, it is known that even after that the danger has not passed, says Nederlof. “Even after the fire, there are still victims among the reptiles.” For example, after the wildfire on the Edese Hei last year, it turned out that some of the sand lizards had survived the fire, but around this time of year the males turn bright green, making them extra noticeable. In a blackened landscape they were easy prey for birds of prey.
It will take years before the nature reserve is covered again with sufficiently varied vegetation, “a must for the temperature regulation of reptiles.” And enough food can be found again. According to Nederlof, reptiles such as the viper and the smooth snake will not return quickly. If they do return: “These species generally do not travel great distances. A disappeared population does not recover by itself. The surrounding roads also form an almost impregnable barrier. And for any remaining population, the risk of inbreeding has increased significantly.”
Insects were also hit hard. According to Nederlof, things have been going “badly” for that group in recent years. “Some on the edges of the area may have survived, but many insects – especially spiders – didn’t stand a chance.”
Aerial view of the military training area after the wildfire.
Photo Bram van de Biezen / ANP
A dead field mouse after the fire on the Edese Heide in 2025.
Photo Jan-Freerk Kloen
Damage to birds appears limited
Dik Bos, from the Noord-Veluwe Bird Protection Watch, is less concerned – despite the breeding season being in full swing. “For birds, the damage from a fire is usually not too bad. They can fly away. Nests that are lost are often rebuilt, after which a new brood follows.”
The condition is that species such as tree pipits, woodlarks and skylarks find a new habitat. Bos points out that red-backed shrikes also breed in the area, a species that is listed as endangered on the Red List. Those birds are not yet back in the Netherlands. “They will arrive in the coming days. It is quite possible that the area is less suitable this year. This species is quite resident, so that could be at the expense of breeding success.”
The impact on the fauna on the defense site will only become clear when what remains of the area becomes visible
The two are also less concerned about larger mammals. Nederlof expects that species such as red deer, roe deer, wild boar, foxes and wolves were largely able to escape the fire. Nederlof, also trained as a nature guide, calls these animals alert, so they may have already been out of the area due to military exercises. “For these species, the fire mainly means loss of habitat and food. Moreover, they can become disoriented due to the stress.”
The youngest and oldest animals are more vulnerable. “Foxes give birth in late March and early April. If their young were still in the den, they had nowhere to go.” According to him, the chances of survival for smaller mammals, such as mice, are extremely small unless they could take shelter deep enough underground.
Active shooting range
The impact of the fire on the fauna on the defense site in ‘t Harde will only become clear when what remains of the area becomes visible, the two say. It is not accessible to the public and nature organizations because it is an active shooting range.
How quickly will the area recover? Bos expects that this will differ per landscape type. “The shooting range consists largely of heathland. This will probably recover reasonably well, making the area suitable for birds again in the future.”
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