Netherlands request European assistance to contain wildfires
01.05.2026, DPA
Firefighters from Germany, Belgium and France have been deployed to the Netherlands on Friday to assist in efforts to contain a number of fires that broke out on military training grounds.
This marks the first time that the Netherlands has requested foreign assistance for combating wildfires, according to local authorities.
Some 30 firefighting vehicles from France and Germany are to be mainly deployed in the south-eastern region near Eindhoven, while 67 special firefighting forces have been sent from Germany.
A major fire broke out on Wednesday at a military training ground near the town of t'Harde, some 80 kilometres east of Amsterdam.
The flames spread quickly and are still not under control, according to police. Further fires have since broken out at other military training sites, including in the south of the country.
The cause of the fires remains unclear, with experts assuming that exercises involving explosives may have sparked the fires due to the dry conditions.
Firefighting efforts have been hampered by severe drought and unusually high temperatures, according to the authorities. So far, no one has been harmed and there is no risk to the population at present.
Thousands evacuated as forest fire rages in Italy's Tuscany region
01.05.2026, DPA
More than 3,500 people have been evacuated from their homes in Italy as a forest fire continues to rage between the cities of Pisa and Lucca in the picturesque Tuscany region.
The municipality of San Giuliano Terme near the Monte Faeta mountain has been particularly affected, with the situation worsening overnight.
On Thursday evening, local authorities ordered all residents to leave the area, with gymnasiums converted into shelters.
The area around Monte Faeta, just outside Pisa, is popular with holidaymakers, particularly hikers.
Regional President Eugenio Giani described the situation as "very difficult."
Soldiers have been deployed to aid the efforts to combat the fire, which broke out a few days ago.
Attempts to bring the blaze under control have proven difficult, as wind continued to fan the flames, according to local authorities.
Dozens of emergency forces are at the scene, supported by firefighting aircraft and helicopters, according to the fire brigade.
No comments:
Post a Comment