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WILDFIRES

MAPS: Where is there a risk of forest fire in Norway this week?

There is a risk of forest fires this week across large parts of southern Norway, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute has reported. Here are the main areas affected.

Forest fire
Norway is facing a heightened risk of forest fires. Photo by Neil Mark Thomas on Unsplash

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute’s forest fire danger index was already red, yellow, or orange, right across southern Norway on Monday, signalling a risk of forest fires.

The dark red “very high risk” area was, however, limited on Monday to a patch along the coast of Østfold.

The risk of forest fires on May 20th. Source: Norwegian Meteorological Institute (NMI)

On Tuesday, the area of “very high danger” is forecast to spread to cover all of Østfold and areas of Vestfold, with patches of high risk area in Agder around Kristiansand.  

The risk of forest fires in Norway on Tuesday May 21st. Photo: NMI

By Wednesday, large parts of Rogaland and Agder are likely to be classed as “very high risk”, as well as areas of Trondelag around Trondheim. Much of central southern Norway will mid-week be classed as at serious risk of forest fire. 

The risk of forest fires in Norway on Wednesday May 22nd. Source: NMI

Have there been any fire bans announced? 

In Norway there is a general fire ban in place every year from April 15th to September 15th, which bans the lighting of bonfires in forests, beaches, the mountains, meadows, marshes, and other types of wilder landscapes

Norwegian municipalities or counties can then institute an “extraordinary” or “total” fire ban, which means you are no longer allowed to light a fire even in green areas in cities and towns such as public parks and municipal barbecue areas, or to use a camping stove in forests and other wilder landscapes. 

So far as The Local can see, no municipality has yet issued an extraordinary or total fire ban this year, but Stein Laache, the fire chief in Fredrikstad told NRK on Monday that he and the fire chiefs from 29 other municipalities were considering bringing in a ban “in a few days”.

He said that the ban could be a targeted at activities in the forest that could lead to a fire, such as forest itself or shooting at rifle ranges.

Fire servces in Sarpsborg said in a press release on Monday that they were considering bringing in a broader ban. 

“The fire service is continuously considering an extraordinary and extended ban on starting fires in and near forests and other wild, natural areas,” the municipality said in its press release, with the local fire chief Terje Surdal adding that “such a ban could be brought in at short notice”. 

Terje Romskog, the fire chief for the Rakkestad Municipality, told the NTB newswire that people in the municipality should of their own accord hold back from lighting fires. 

“There is one thing that applies: do not light anything – whether it’s a fire for coffee, a primus or a disposable grill. You have no idea how quickly it can spread and how big a fire can become.”

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WEATHER

Weather alert for torrential rain and thunderstorms issued in Norway

Another weather warning for parts of Norway was issued for Tuesday after Oslo received half a month's rainfall in 20 minutes on Monday.

Weather alert for torrential rain and thunderstorms issued in Norway

More heavy rain is expected in eastern parts of Norway on Tuesday evening. Around 12 millimetres are expected, and a yellow weather warning has been issued.

On Monday, parts of eastern Norway received 42.7 millimetres of rain, the monthly average for May being 60 millimetres.

The heavy rain flooded streets and some basements in parts of the capital.

The public has asked to avoid swimming in Oslo’s harbour areas after the rain due to the presence of intestinal bacteria.

A yellow warning has also been issued for lighting in eastern Norway. The public has been asked to unplug appliances and avoid open plains and large trees. Swimming has also been discouraged.

Around 30,000 and 40,000 lightning strikes were registered in Norway over the past 24 hours.

During a yellow weather warning, the public is asked to “be aware” of “challenging situations”.

READ MORE: What Norway’s weather alerts actually mean

Below you can see a forecast posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute

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