Biggest forest fire since
World War 2
Thirty fire fighters had to dump their backpacks and run to avoid being cut off by flames as the fire in Froland near the south coast town of Arendal continues to spread.
 More helicopters will be drafted in to fight the fire this weekend. PHOTO: TOR ERIK SCHRØDER / SCANPIX |
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By Friday afternoon the fire had levelled 40.000 mål (some 10,000 acres, or 4,000 hectares). This is the biggest forest fire in Norway since World War II. Hundreds of extra fire fighters and seven more helicopters will be drafted in to put out the flames.
"Nothing short of a downpour will put an end to this fire," Ove Frigstad of the Østre Agder fire department told NTB news service.
Light showers were forecast for the inland parts of Southern Norway on Friday.
Thunderstorms are also forecast. Lightning strikes would stretch fire fighting resources further.
No lives have been lost, but holiday houses have been destroyed and citizens threatened by the fire have been evacuated. As the fire is brought under control, house owners will be allowed to return to their homes.
Aftenposten English Web DeskSven Goll
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