![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/netherlands\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/euronews_uk_articles_973\/263ad78fd06dc759a08dc632b5a0f0de.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nFirefighters are rushing to contain a forest blaze in the southeast of the Netherlands that spread overnight to engulf 100 hectares on Tuesday, authorities said.<\/p>\n
It was the latest in a string of wildfires to hit western Europe, following deadly heatwaves that have dried up riverbeds and vegetation, extreme weather events scientists have linked to human-made climate change.<\/p>\n
The fire started around Monday afternoon in a nature reserve near the village of Oostrum in Limburg province, close to the border with Germany.<\/p>\n
The blaze spread to 100 hectares as of early Tuesday and was still not under control, provincial authorities said on their website.<\/p>\n
The winds kept changing direction and sped up the fire’s spread, a regional safety spokesperson told the ANP news agency.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A helicopter drops water on a wildfire in the southern Netherlands, 3 August, 2026 – Screenshot from AP video 4676428<\/p>\n
Around 300 emergency workers took part in containing the blaze overnight and firefighting helicopters were set to resume operations on Tuesday morning, authorities said.<\/p>\n
A nearby campsite was evacuated and trains passing through the area were suspended.<\/p>\n
“Because of the drought, fire can spread quickly in nature reserves,” provincial authorities said, without specifying the cause of the fire.<\/p>\n
European countries are facing a major drought, marked by dried-up rivers, water restrictions and devastating forest fires, following an unprecedented heat wave in June.<\/p>\n