Risk of wildfires higher after lowest winter rainfall in decades

The risk of wildfires and water shortages in the Netherlands has increased after the driest winter in nearly 30 years.

The meteorological office KNMI recorded just 122mm of rain at the central weather station in De Bilt in the first three months of the year, the lowest level since 1997.

Since Valentine’s Day just 14mm of rain has fallen and weather forecasts predict that the dry spell will last until mid-April.

Around 80 forest fires were reported in March, nine times as many as last year, which was one of the wettest starts to the year on record.

Last weekend an area of 2,500 m2 caught fire on the Sallandse Heuvelrug in Overijssel, while firefighters also had to deal with a natural fire in the Clingse Bossen in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.

The website Natuurbrandenrisico.nl has put the provinces Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland and Noord-Brabant on “phase 2” alert, warning landowners and responders to be extra alert.

The KNMI has warned that climate change is likely to lead to more frequent droughts, with warm, dry winters and more sunshine. The month of March was the driest and sunniest on record, while more than 400 hours of sunshine have been recorded in the first three months of the year for the first time ever.

However, rising sea temperatures will also cause heavier rain and flooding across Europe, scientists have warned.