Crown Fire Near Venray Is Most Dangerous Type, Experts Warn

The wildfire currently burning in the Boschhuizerbergen nature reserve near Venray is a crown fire, identified as the most dangerous of the three types of wildfires experts distinguish.

Wildfires are categorized into ground fires, surface fires, and crown fires. Ground fires smolder underground, often in peat, and can persist for weeks even after the surface is extinguished, as seen in 2020. Surface fires are limited to lower vegetation like grasses and shrubs, not reaching the tree canopies.

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In the tree crowns, there is a lot of flammable material available. And at that height, there is often more wind and air circulation, which gives the fire more oxygen and allows it to burn faster. Because of the wind, it can easily spread from one tree crown to another and quickly through the forest.

Crown fires, however, are characterized by flames climbing into the tree crowns, the uppermost parts of trees. This type of fire spreads rapidly because there is abundant flammable material in the canopies. Higher altitudes often have more wind and airflow, providing more oxygen and accelerating the fire's spread. The wind can easily carry flames from one treetop to another, making crown fires significantly faster than surface fires.

Experts note that the specific speed of spread depends on vegetation type. Deciduous trees, while having more foliage lower down, have leaves that retain more water than coniferous needles, leading to slower burning. Coniferous forests, like the planted pine forest surrounding the juniper bushes in Boschhuizerbergen, can burn more intensely. The current fire is exacerbated by prolonged dry conditions, high temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, and low humidity, creating ideal conditions for rapid spread.

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It has been very dry for a long time. And Monday was very hot, above 30 degrees. With very low humidity. The night from Monday to Tuesday was also relatively warm and dry. That has promoted the spread of this crown fire. And today, Tuesday, it is also warm and dry again.