Fryslân First Province with Plan for Wildfire Management

The Province of Fryslân, together with the Safety Region Fryslân, municipalities, and nature managers, has established a plan to better prevent and manage wildfires.

Matthijs de Vries, deputy of the Province of Fryslân: “A wildfire does not stop at the border of a municipality or nature reserve. Only by working together can we keep Fryslân safe and livable. With this plan, we lay a solid foundation to protect our nature and act quickly when necessary.”

Increasing Risk Due to Climate Change

Due to warmer and drier summers, combined with alternating very wet periods, the chance of wildfires in Fryslân is increasing significantly. Such fires can cause great damage to nature, animals, and recreational areas, but also pose risks to villages and infrastructure. In Fryslân, thirteen risk areas have now been designated, including the Frisian Wadden Islands, the Drents-Friese Wold, and the Bakkeveen dunes. Measures are being taken there, such as creating firebreaks, retaining water, and adjusting vegetation, so that a wildfire remains more controllable.

Cooperation as Strength

The Frisian Wildfire Management Plan specifies who does what, how risks are addressed, and how this is financed. For implementation, the involved parties collaborate in a governance platform and a regional coordination team. This way, knowledge, experiences, and resources are quickly shared to prevent fires and to act swiftly in case of an incident. Around summer 2026, a dashboard will follow as a further elaboration of the plan. It will include an overview of risk areas, firefighting facilities, and information about where fires have occurred.

Michiel Schrier, chairman of the Governance Platform Wildfire Management Fryslân: “Living in Frisian nature is good. Near nature reserves, there are often homes, but also care institutions, schools, and campsites. A wildfire can have major consequences. We work together to reduce risks without compromising nature.”

First Province with Wildfire Plan

Fryslân is the first province to establish its own wildfire management plan. The experiences gained here can later help other provinces as well. In this way, Fryslân makes an important contribution to the national approach to wildfires.