The flames in the nature reserve near Venray, close to the border with North Rhine-Westphalia, are under control but not yet extinguished. Erik Thijssen, a spokesperson for the Limburg-North safety region, told the German Press Agency that the situation is stable and manageable, but an all-clear would be premature. There was no further spread during the night.
Army firefighting helicopters were expected to be deployed again in the morning. Firefighters have been battling the flames for days, which have been raging since Monday. Around 100 hectares are affected, no people have been injured so far, and buildings remain undamaged. A campsite with 300 guests was evacuated as a precaution, and regional rail services have been restricted.
The firefighting efforts are complicated by unexploded ordnance from World War II. Firefighters can only extinguish from the paths, but the fire sources are accessible via firebreaks. The army’s bomb disposal unit has been called in. The cause of the fire is unknown.
The district of Kleve continues to advise residents to keep windows and doors closed. The smell of smoke is spreading across the entire district, varying in intensity depending on wind direction. There is no danger to the population, and the warning is precautionary. Reinforcements from North Rhine-Westphalia have not been requested.
Source: www.tagesspiegel.de
