The air quality is not optimal in several places in the country, according to measurements from the National Institute for Public Health (RIVM). Luchtmeetnet.nl to see. Particularly in the west of the country, between Amsterdam and The Hague, particulate matter concentrations shot up on Wednesday afternoon.
This may have to do with the plume of smoke that swept over the country on Wednesday, as a result of a large wildfire that broke out around noon on a military training area on the Veluwe, near Epe. Weather conditions can also contribute to increased levels of particulate matter. For example, an easterly wind can blow extra particulate matter from the European mainland to the Netherlands.
At one measuring point in Aalsmeer the values for particulate matter were ‘insufficient’ around 5 p.m., in Velsen this was the case around 3 p.m. Increased values were observed in De Zilk on Wednesday afternoon wood soot measured in the air, just like in Almere.
Nevertheless, the plume of smoke that passed over the west does not appear to have been harmful. The fire brigade did not measure any dangerous values in the air, reported Hollands Midden Safety Region. The smoke still causes “nuisance” in the region, according to the safety region. “The smoke plume can clearly be seen and smelled.” The advice remains to close windows and doors and turn off mechanical ventilation.
The safety region also monitors air quality around the place where the wildfire started, on the Veluwe between ‘t Harde and Epe. The values are not yet so bad that an evacuation is necessary, a spokesperson told the ANP news agency.
At the end of the afternoon, the plume of smoke produced by the wildfire even reached England, ANP reports. Satellite images show the plume of smoke moving over Norwich. The plume of smoke could be seen off the coast of England around 5 p.m.
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Wildfire Artillery Shooting Camp
Large heath fire broke out during military exercise at the Defense shooting range between Epe and ‘t Harde on the Veluwe
