The Dutch fire brigade has got a fire in the dunes near the coastal town of Schoorl in the Province of North Holland under control. Nevertheless, 160 firemen will continue to work throughout the night to make sure the flames are not rekindled.

Around 300 firemen and five helicopters were drafted to the stricken area to fight the fire. Strong winds hampered efforts to stop the spread of the flames in the nature area, which is a tinderbox after a prolonged dry and exceptionally warm period. Vegetation in an area the size of 200 square kilometres has been destroyed.

The authorities in various parts of the Netherlands are drawing up plans in case a drought develops. The Dutch meteorological institute KNMI is predicting continued dry weather for the time being.