In Waalre, a fire broke out in a forest on the Valkenswaardseweg on Friday. According to the fire service, it concerns an area of four hectares. That is the area of six football fields. The fire appears to be under control, but firefighters still need hours to make sure the fire does not flare up again. Agricultural companies with water tanks have been deployed to help with extinguishing.
The first report of the fire came around 5:30 p.m. Around 6 a.m., firefighters reported that the fire appeared to be under control. She does take into account that the fire could flare up again because of the sometimes ‘increasing wind’.
Neighbors are not at risk. According to a spokesman for the fire service, there are four houses in the area. “They have been notified of the fire. We have advised to close windows if they are affected by the smoke. No further action is needed.”
Second seat of fire
About five hundred meters away, a new fire broke out around a quarter past six. It is unclear how the fire started, a spokesman for the fire service said. “The distance between the two fires was such that we could not establish a link. This fire is now also under control. It concerns an area of 900 square meters.”
Twelve fire trucks and six water trucks are present in the nature reserve to extinguish the fire. The fire brigade is keeping the area wet to prevent the fire from spreading further. This can cause a lot of odor and smoke nuisance in the coming hours. Due to the high temperatures, firefighters are relieved by new colleagues.
Golf course cancels tournament
A golf tournament has been canceled at the Eindhovensche Golf course due to the fire. According to a spokesperson for the fire service, this did not happen at the request of the fire service. “They did that of their own accord. The fire brigade has not seen any threat to do so. The smoke is going the other way and not over the golf course,” said the spokesperson.
The fire service is asking people not to come and look at the fire and to stay away from the smoke. She has therefore also sent an NL-Alert to local residents.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.