Fire homes destroyed as wildfire ravages Krokstadelva neighborhood

KROKSTADELVA, Norway (Dagbladet) — A fast-moving wildfire destroyed at least four homes and forced the evacuation of more than 400 people in Krokstadelva, a neighborhood in Drammen municipality, Buskerud county, on Friday afternoon.

The fire came within 30 meters of one house and scorched more than 100 properties, authorities said. The Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB) called it the largest fire of its kind recorded in peacetime Norway since 1923.

“People are in shock,” said Vibeke Evju, whose home on Stenseth narrowly escaped the flames. “All I can think about now is that no lives were lost. Everyone survived. But it’s devastating to consider the homes and memories that have vanished.”

Evju and her husband were at their cabin in Sigdal when the fire started. After learning of the blaze, they drove to Mjøndalen on the opposite side of the Drammenselva river and watched as flames advanced toward their neighborhood. Police called to confirm whether they were home.

“The fire was perhaps 30 meters from our house,” Evju said. “Our home still stands, but another family member lost their house. It’s heartbreaking to think of the 100 homes destroyed and the children at Stenseth school who no longer have a place to live.”

Firefighting efforts continued Saturday morning, with ground crews and helicopters battling flames in wooded terrain northeast of the affected area. Wind conditions initially pushed the fire away from homes, but shifting winds posed ongoing challenges, according to Espen Reite, operations leader for the South-East Police District.

“There are some challenges with wind at the site, but the situation is being monitored and the risk of spread is assessed as low,” Reite wrote in a police log update. “Full control has not yet been established.”

Civil Defense, military units, and other emergency services joined local fire brigades in the response.