Peat fire rages in Noord Brabant as code red alert remains in force
Firefighters are still trying to contain a peat fire in the Mariapeel national park in Noord Brabant, broadcaster NOS said on Friday morning.
The fire laid waste to a large area overnight and although the blaze had been extinguished, it keeps reigniting, NOS said.
Fires in areas of peat are particularly difficult to contain because the blaze spreads underground and is not reached by water.
According to local news source Brabant Actueel, over 100 fire fighters and 10 fire trucks were involved in trying to bring the blaze under control.
Forestry workers are now soaking the sand paths surrounding the area with water in an effort to stop the fire spreading to other parts of the reserve.
A code red fire warning is in force in Noord Brabant, Zeeland and parts of Limburg because of the prolonged drought.
Thursday night’s heavy rain was ‘a drop in the ocean,’ a spokesman for the fire brigade told NOS.
Fire also broke out in the northern dune area of the Wadden Sea island of Terschelling. Firemen used the sea rescue service KNRM to reach the area. The fire was put out by 3am.
(VIDEO) Grote branden in #Mariapeel bij #Liessel – https://t.co/K32jDlxMSI – #Bosbrand pic.twitter.com/Zb0a8EM1WB
— Brabant Actueel (@BrabantActueel) June 23, 2017
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