Oslo: More than 100 homes have been destroyed and hundreds of residents evacuated as firefighters continue battling a fast-moving wildfire in southern Norway that has spread from a residential area into nearby forestland, emergency officials said.
The blaze erupted in Krokstadelva, in the municipality of Drammen, about 50 kilometres west of Oslo, before rapidly engulfing homes and surrounding vegetation. Authorities said strong winds and dry conditions have fuelled the fire, making it difficult for emergency crews to contain the flames. The wildfire remains out of control and continues to threaten nearby communities.
Around 80 firefighters, Civil Defence personnel and six firefighting helicopters have been deployed to tackle the blaze. However, aerial operations had to be suspended overnight because of darkness, leaving firefighters on the ground to battle the fire until helicopters could resume operations. Officials warned that the temporary loss of aerial support made containment efforts significantly more challenging.
Police incident commander Frode Presthus said the fire had spread into nearby forest, transforming it into a larger wildfire. Emergency crews are now working to stop the flames from advancing further south by attacking the fire from multiple directions. Authorities said changing weather conditions, particularly strong winds, remain a major concern and could continue to hamper firefighting efforts over the coming hours.
Residents described the fire spreading with alarming speed. Local resident Finn Roine said he rushed to the area after receiving a call from his daughter, only to witness entire rows of homes being consumed by flames within minutes. He said his daughter’s house was among those destroyed, describing the speed of the blaze as “incredible” as the fire swept through the neighbourhood.
Authorities have urged residents to follow evacuation orders and stay away from affected areas while emergency services continue working to protect lives and property. Officials said it may take until Saturday before the wildfire is brought under control, with firefighting crews expected to remain on the scene until the danger has passed. The fire has become one of Norway’s most destructive residential wildfires in recent years, leaving extensive damage and uncertainty for hundreds of displaced residents.
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