Fire in the Deurnese Peel

On April 20, 2020, a major fire started in the Deurnese Peel. It had not rained for six weeks and therefore it was very dry and there was also quite a strong wind. As a result, the fire quickly took hold. In a short time, a large area was ablaze. In the end, it became the largest wildfire the Netherlands has ever known, a sad record. Of the 1,000 hectares, 800 ha has now been burned. The surrounding fire brigades provided assistance as well as the air force with some fire-fighting helicopters. After several days of hard fighting the fire was declared under control. It was not yet finished. A peat fire is difficult to extinguish because the fire in the peat layer continues to spread underground. After a month, it was still burning in a number of places. You also saw new life everywhere between the smoke and the ashes. Click on one of the photos below to see a photo report.