Norway forest fire ‘under control’
Norway forest fire ‘under control’
15June 2008
published by www.iol.co.za
Norwegian firefighters and hundreds of assistance personnel were able to bring under control the largest forest fire in the country since the Second World War in the south-east of Norway, said government spokesperson on Sunday.
According to the report, the firefighters were also helped by timely rainfall to the area.
As many as 16 helicopters had been deployed to contain the fire, and Justice Minister Knut Storberget said on Friday he had been in contact with Sweden, Denmark and the European Union over assistance to combat a forest fire.
The blaze near the southern town of Arendal had raged for several days and local capacity was severely stretched since southern Norway has experienced several forest fires over a recent heatwave.
Strong winds and extremely dry conditions have hampered efforts to tackle the blaze by some 110 firefighters and the home guard.
Neighbouring Sweden was however not able to provide assistance since its resources were stretched after a series of forest fires due to very dry weather and a recent heatwave.
The fire has reportedly destroyed some 2 000 hectares, making it the country’s largest since World War II.
Several holiday cabins have been evacuated but no people have been reported injured.
