A large wildfire broke out in the Limburg province in the Netherlands on Monday, forcing evacuations and halting train services as firefighters battled flames spreading rapidly through treetops.
The fire started in the Rosmolen nature reserve and quickly grew to cover 21 hectares, with 35 firefighting vehicles and defense helicopters deployed to combat the blaze, officials said.
Emergency services evacuated a nearby campsite and asked people to stay away from the area as the crown fire spread between tree canopy.
"The biggest challenge is its very rapid spread," said Bart Cox, spokesperson for Safety Region Limburg-Noord. "We are dealing with a forest with a dense canopy, including many pine trees and conifers."
Fire units from various provinces and regions responded to the emergency, with helicopters carrying fire retardant to help combat the rare wildfire in the Netherlands.