A large wildfire in the Boschhuizerbergen nature reserve in Limburg, Netherlands, has destroyed the vast majority of a unique juniper colony, once numbering around 4,000 shrubs, leaving fewer than 100 remaining. This area housed the largest juniper thicket in southern Netherlands, a significant natural phenomenon thriving due to the area’s poor soil and sandy conditions. Some of the shrubs were over 130 years old, growing slowly over a century. The fire, which began last week and spread rapidly due to wind and heat, consumed approximately 100 hectares, including a portion of a protected Natura 2000 area. While the fire is considered contained, firefighters continue to work around the clock to extinguish smoldering hotspots. The long-term recovery of the juniper population is uncertain, with replanting efforts facing challenges due to changing soil conditions and the unique environment required for their growth. The Stichting Het Limburgs Landschap, dedicated to protecting the area, considers the loss a devastating blow.