Forest Fire Danger Increases in Eastern Norway as Heatwave Continues

– In Eastern Norway it will be quite hot in the future, and it doesn’t look like it will let up. There is now a forest fire danger at the orange level. People must be careful, says state meteorologist Anne Solveig Andersen at the Meteorological Institute to Dagbladet.

The forest fire danger is rapidly increasing, and recently it was extended to orange level for large parts of southern Norway. At the same time, there is a yellow warning for the rest of Western Norway south of Stad.

– Must be careful

This week, however, there may be long-awaited rain showers in southern Norway – among other things, a yellow warning of torrential rain has been issued for Wednesday afternoon and evening. It is still not a given that it will reduce the risk of forest fires, warns the meteorologist.

– It is not necessarily this type of weather that should reduce the risk of forest fires. It’s very local and it doesn’t have enough space for a large area. There may well be heavy showers, but there is still a risk of forest fire in the area, because it hits small areas and over a short period of time, she says and adds:

– We clearly have to be careful with open flames. It is extremely important, says Andersen.

Fire region east and Vestfold intermunicipal fire service (VIB) reported over 40 fires together in their areas on Friday.

– A bit tiring

In the next few days, the first tropical night of the year may arrive in southern Norway. For it to be considered a tropical night, it must be over 20 degrees from 8pm in the evening until 8am the next morning.

– There is a possibility that it will not go below 20 degrees at night. It’s almost tiring not to get cold at night.

In several places in the country, the temperature can creep up to the 30s during the day – and Thursday and Friday in particular will be the hottest.

– Should the heat last?

– It looks like that. At least this week here seems to be warm. For many it is fine, but for others it is certainly not good with dryness and heat. For the farmers, it’s no fun when they don’t get any rainfall. It depends on who you ask about what is good weather, she says.