The smell of smoke from wildfires in Larvik and Siljan can be felt across much of Vestfold on Sunday.
The blaze, now in its third day, is considered the “largest” the former county has seen in more than 27 years.
– I’m not sure of the area, but certainly of the duration. This is the worst place there could be a forest fire, says fire chief Jan Olav Vagle of the Larvik Fire and Rescue Service.
No control
The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in Middagskollen, located on the border between the municipalities of Larvik and Siljan.
It is believed to have started after a lightning strike.
On Sunday night, the forest fire covered an area of one square kilometer. This is still the case on Sunday afternoon, Sørøst 110 center duty manager Tom Berger told Dagbladet.
– It spreads very slowly. The terrain is terribly rugged, so it burns both vertically and horizontally, Berger explains.
The fire is still not under control, but firefighters, Civil Defense and volunteers are working to remedy this situation.
– They are working on creating an escape route, where they cut down trees and clean up, so that the fire will stop when it arrives, says Berger.
At the same time, water is projected from the two helicopters participating in the extinction efforts.
– So a plan has been drawn up to put an end to this situation, but the efforts will continue for many, many days, says Berger.
Plan a week’s efforts
The wildfire caused residents of much of the Vestfold interior to smell smoke and call 110.
– If residents only notice a constant smell of smoke, it is likely coming from the fire we are treating. If they notice a stronger smell or a significant change, they should check the immediate surroundings and possibly call 110, explains Jan Olav Vagle.
The wildfire itself is not close to the residential units and therefore no evacuation was required.
Half of the fire area is in the municipality of Siljan. The other half in the municipality of Larvik. In an update overnight Sunday, the fire chief said firefighters were planning to respond to the area a week in advance.
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