Easter Bonfires Allowed After All in Aa en Hunze

In a welcome turn of events, Easter bonfires will be allowed this weekend in the municipality of Aa en Hunze. The Safety Region Drenthe has downgraded the wildfire risk level from phase 2 to phase 1, making it possible to safely light the bonfires after all.

Mayor Anno Wietze Hiemstra expressed his relief at the updated advice: “For many people in our municipality, this is a cherished tradition. We hope that, despite the short notice, local groups can still make something beautiful out of it.”

Recent weather changes – including more rain than expected, higher humidity, and calmer winds – contributed to the reassessment of the fire risk. Several villages are now taking the opportunity to prepare their bonfires.

In Rolde, the local Orange Association announced on Facebook that the Boermarke Easter Bonfire will go ahead on Easter Sunday. Residents can bring their pruning waste to the site at Esstraat (near Slokkert) on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 April. The bonfire will be lit at exactly 7:00 PM on Sunday, together with Year 6 pupils from the Jan Thiesschool.

These are the times when pruning waste can be dropped off:

• Friday, 18 April between 10:00 and 12:00
• Friday, 18 April between 13:00 and 16:00
• Saturday, 19 April between 10:00 and 12:00
• Saturday, 19 April between 13:00 and 16:00

Though time is short, many communities are glad the tradition can still take place. The municipality continues to follow the Safety Region’s advice and wishes everyone a safe and festive Easter weekend.