04/05/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Saturday 30 April, the Netherlands activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) for the first time in its history in response to the forest fires that hit the centre, south and west of the country - in particular the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen nature reserve and the province of Limburg - leading to evacuations and significant material damage last week. In response, France mobilised 41 civil security officers on the ground, while Germany sent 67 firefighters and around twenty vehicles. Belgium also took part in the emergency operations. The operation officially ended on the evening of 2 May. According to an assessment released by the European Commission on Monday 4 May, all the wildfires have now been extinguished, although local evacuations are still under way. In all, the fires affected an estimated area of at least 500 hectares. (JM)