Major fire in Belgian nature reserve just across border at Zundert is under control, evacuated residents allowed to return home | 112 and crime

The fire broke out on Friday after military practice at the target. The consequences have been disastrous. In Antwerp, it rained ash, the smoke could be seen in space and drifted hundreds of kilometers across the country. About sixty firefighters of different strengths went out overnight. Chinooks from Gilze-Rijen were also used to fight the blaze. These firefighting helicopters contributed to the extinction until Saturday afternoon.

Since Saturday, code orange has applied to the entire province of Antwerp. During “code orange”, nature officials and firefighters should be very vigilant. When a forest fire breaks out, the firefighters come out stronger. More equipment and manpower are also being deployed. In the event of a forest fire during “code yellow”, the fire brigade will switch to the adjusted force.

A ban on smoking and fires has been in force in nature, moors and forests since Saturday. Due to the drought and the risk of fire in the province, campfires are prohibited throughout the province of Antwerp.

The provincial emergency plan has not been in effect since Friday evening. Although attention is always needed: the so-called hotspots remain active, where the heat remains intense. They are also not always accessible in the military field. But the fire did not spread further. Although plumes of smoke could still rise from the area on Saturday.

A helicopter visualized the current situation. If you are disturbed, it is best to close windows and doors or turn off the ventilation. The municipality of Brecht reported it on its Facebook page on Saturday morning.