Norwegian authorities on Tuesday brought the country’s largest wildfire of its kind in more than a century under control following a five-day emergency response involving firefighters, police, the military and hundreds of Civil Defense personnel.
The blaze broke out on Friday in Krokstadelva, in the Drammen municipality, destroying more than 100 homes and forcing the evacuation of over 400 residents, according to Norwegian media.
Incident commander Espen Berge said firefighters had brought both the residential and forest fires under control, although significant heat remains beneath the ground.
“This means that we have to commit to a longer effort. It will take time before we can withdraw from this area, but we have control,” Berge said.
Emergency crews have established containment lines around the affected areas and created a dedicated response unit to monitor and extinguish any remaining hotspots.
Authorities have reduced aerial firefighting operations from two helicopters to one, while keeping an additional aircraft on standby if needed.
More than 300 Civil Defense personnel, many of whom were recalled from leave, joined firefighters, police and military personnel in the large-scale operation.
Officials said no people remain missing, although several pets that fled into nearby woodland have yet to be found. Residents have been warned not to cross security barriers because parts of the affected area remain dangerously hot.
Police said forensic investigators have not yet entered the site due to extreme ground temperatures. While authorities have identified the suspected origin of the fire, its exact cause remains under investigation. Investigators have interviewed witnesses and collected photographs and video footage as part of the inquiry.
Forecasters warned that temperatures in Drammen could reach 28°C on Tuesday following an extended dry spell, increasing the risk of further wildfires.