Wildfire spreads near Ålesund as authorities warn of extreme dry conditions

Emergency services responded to a large wildfire near Ålesund on Monday afternoon, with fire crews battling flames across hundreds of square metres of dry terrain, Dagbladet reports.

The fire broke out in the Løvika area, prompting police to advise the evacuation of a nearby cabin development. “It’s a large area,” operations leader Arild Even Reite wrote in a police log, noting the blaze was first reported at 16:29. Firefighters deployed ground and water-based suppression efforts, with a fire helicopter en route to assist.

Brannvesenet (the Norwegian fire service) confirmed they had established control lines, laying hoses to protect adjacent buildings and construction sites. “We’ve got all available personnel on site,” fire chief John Rune Lillebø told Dagbladet, adding that while no residential evacuations were yet ordered, patrols were checking cabins in Løvika for occupants.

Witness Christian Pritchard, who alerted emergency services after spotting the fire from a boat, described the conditions as “bone-dry,” with flames spreading rapidly through forest areas. He estimated the nearest homes lay about 300 metres from the fire’s edge.

Civil defence units and additional helicopters were called in as crews worked to contain the blaze, which Lillebø said posed no immediate threat to populated areas but required precautionary measures.