Norway's Directorate for Civil Protection has activated three emergency helicopters in early February, responding to a severe forest fire risk that typically doesn't emerge until April. This unprecedented winter deployment comes as dry conditions and lack of precipitation have sparked multiple terrain blazes across western and central regions, forcing evacuations and overwhelming local responders. The move signals a stark departure from normal seasonal patterns, with officials scrambling to contain fires in areas like Ørland where a blaze sparked by a lighter led to farm evacuations.
Unprecedented Winter Alert
Forest fire helicopters in Norway are usually on standby from April 15 to August 15, but this year, the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Preparedness (DSB) placed two helicopters in readiness on Thursday, February 5. They were positioned in Ålesund in Sunnmøre and on Voss in Vestland. By Saturday, a third helicopter was added in Sand, Rogaland, as the fire risk escalated. A yellow danger warning for forest fires is in effect for Møre og Romsdal, Rogaland, Vestland, and parts of Trøndelag, highlighting the widespread nature of the threat. This early activation, two months ahead of schedule, underscores the severity of the current conditions and has raised alarms within Norway's civil protection framework.
Helicopters Scramble to Blazes
The deployments are directly linked to active fires, including a major terrain blaze at Oksvoll on Ørland in Trøndelag that broke out on Saturday. Anders Fevik, a spokesperson for DSB, said ongoing assessments are being made in connection with the Oksvoll fire. 'Tomorrow, two fire helicopters from Værnes will be deployed to assist in extinguishing efforts,' Fevik said in a statement. The Civil Defense has been called in to assist, but as of Saturday evening, the fire was not under control and had spread to a mountainside. This incident mirrors other fires reported on Saturday in Hå, Rogaland, where fireworks were found nearby, as well as in Samnanger in Vestland and Sykkylven in Møre og Romsdal, though those were quickly brought under control.
Dry Spell Fuels the Flames
Meteorologist Per Egil Haga explained that the fire danger stems from a prolonged lack of rainfall in these regions. 'In the snow-free areas, there is now a high grass and heather fire danger,' Haga said. He noted that the ground has dried out despite it being winter, and the fire risk will persist until significant precipitation arrives. Wind in several areas exacerbates the problem by further drying the ground and helping fires spread more easily. This weather pattern is unusual for February, a month when Norway typically experiences colder, wetter conditions that suppress fire risks. The combination of dry vegetation and wind creates a tinderbox scenario, challenging traditional seasonal preparedness models.
On the Ground: Fire Incidents and Causes
Saturday saw multiple terrain fires across affected regions. In addition to the Oksvoll blaze, which police said started after play with a lighter, authorities responded to a fire in Hå, Rogaland, where fireworks were discovered near the site. Quick response teams managed to control that fire rapidly. Similarly, fires in Samnanger and Sykkylven were extinguished swiftly, but they indicate the pervasive risk. Kjartan Molvær, the operations leader in the Ålesund fire department, urged the public to exercise caution. 'I don't think people are aware of how dry it is,' Molvær said, emphasizing the need for vigilance to prevent further incidents. These events highlight human factors in fire ignition, compounding the natural weather-related risks.