Molde wildfire spreads as residents warned to close windows and prepare for possible evacuation

A wildfire in Molde, Norway, has forced authorities to urge residents in the western part of the Djupedalen housing area to keep doors and windows closed due to heavy smoke, Dagbladet reports.

The fire began in an unoccupied cabin, which has now burned completely, but has since spread to surrounding terrain, according to Jan Aril Austnes, operations manager for Møre og Romsdal police district.

Police initially stated that the blaze was likely under control but later corrected the assessment. “We are now pre-warning residents in the western part of the housing area that they may need to evacuate, as we do not yet have full control over the fire in the terrain,” Austnes said.

The fire service remains on site, with smoke drifting toward populated areas.