The fire service was notified of the fire around 3 pm on Wednesday afternoon.
A large heather and forest area several hundred meters in width was on fire. According to the fire service, about 25 targets have been scorched.
The fire occurred at the Armed Forces’ firing range at Giskåsen, and according to the police, it is most likely that this happened in connection with a shooting exercise with a cannon on Wednesday afternoon.
It is both hot and dry in the area, and then a spark from a projectile may have ignited the vegetation, according to operations manager Ole Petter Hollingen.
– We had several approaches to fire earlier today, but had control. But with the wind conditions that are here now, we quickly lost control, says exercise leader Øyan at the Home Guard’s weapons school to Trønder-Avisa.
SHOOTING FIELD: The fire occurred at a large area by Giskås firing range.
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Was not safe for ground crew
Because there may be defense equipment left and there are blind people in the area, it has been a challenge for the fire service to get in.
– It has not been safe for crews to move in the area, and that is why a helicopter was requested, Hollingen states.
At 6.30 pm, he says that they are finally starting to get control of the fire, thanks to the helicopter.
– It has been in action for a while and it has limited the fire significantly, says Ole Petter Hollingen.
After clearance from the Armed Forces, ground crews have thus finally been allowed to move into the ground.
– The helicopter has had the area that was sensitive extinguished, and reinforcements from the Civil Defense are now entering on foot and on ATVs. They will go over and put out what remains, says Hollingen.
HELICOPTERS: The fire brigade had to request help for firefighting work from the air.
Photo: Tariq Alisubh / NRK
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Can be long lasting
– This will probably be long-lasting, says alarm center operator Jan Erik Seierstad in the 110 exchange.
At 7.15 pm, he informs NRK that it is still smoldering well, even though the largest flames have been extinguished. The area must also be monitored for a long time afterwards.
– It is very dry in the area, and it only takes small embers for it to flare up again, says Ole Petter Hollingen in the police.
A drone with a heat-seeking function has been brought in from Trondheim to assist in the work to get an overview of the fire area.
Task leader Per Henrik Bykvist tells NRK’s reporter on the spot that the Civil Defense will also lay hoses in the terrain.
– They will ensure that the entire terrain is soaked, and that there is no more danger of further fire, he says.
However, the nearest buildings are far away from the fire, and there should be no danger to life and health.
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