On Saturday evening, a fire started in Anárjohka National Park, five miles from the center of Karasjok. – It must have burned in a 300 meter radius, says Kjetil Fagerli, fire chief in Karasjok. The Civil Defense now says that the fire has been extinguished in Karasjok. It is still burning elsewhere in Finnmark. In Nesseby municipality, the fire crew is constantly out to put out new fires in forest and fields. This is what it looked like when there was a fire in Anárjohka National Park in Karasjok on Monday morning.Karina Kåven Kaaby Nearly ten people have been working to extinguish the fire in Karasjok since Saturday evening. Fire chief Kjetil Fagerli says that they had to fly people and equipment to the fire scene by helicopter. – The biggest problem is actually getting there with equipment. It is rough terrain and the people we have flown out, they have been there for a day now, he says. Worked all night On Monday afternoon, the Civil Defense and the fire crew packed up the extinguishing equipment and left the area. Among those who have taken part in the extinguishing is Karina Kåven Kaaby from Karasjok’s local response department in the Civil Defence. – I have not seen the likes of this before, she says to news. Karina Kåven Kaaby is part of the Norwegian Civil Defense’s local task force (LIA) in Karasjok. Photo: Karina Kåven Kaaby The fire she helped put out in Anárjohka is called a smoldering fire. Elm fires can burn in the ground for days before it becomes visible on the surface. – It’s a challenge since we can’t see where it’s burning, says Karina, who herself is from Karasjok. – We have to go and kick the ground and see where it’s burning. And then it’s to poop where there’s a little smoke and see if there’s anything there.Karina Kåven Kaaby She says that the extinguishing work has been hectic. – When we arrived, we just had to go and make sure it didn’t flare up again. And that’s what we’ve been doing all night. All of us may have slept a maximum of 30 minutes each night, she says. The firefighters had to make their own camp where they could rest between battles. Photo: Karina Kåven Kaaby Struggling to find water Karina also says that it was difficult to get access to water during the extinguishing work. – We had the challenge of not finding water on Sunday evening. When it’s dark, it’s hard to find your way, she says. They found a small stream when it got light on Monday morning. At first it worked well, but eventually there was too little water. – There was too little pressure in the hoses, so it was not as effective as we wanted, she explains. One of the fire hoses the firefighters stretched across a marshy area to get water. Photo: Karina Kåven Kaaby – We have simply had to use what we have. Shovels, shovels and we also have kicks to put out the fire. It is clear that not being able to fight fire with water makes it more difficult, says Karina. The Civil Defense nevertheless says that they have now managed to put out the fire in the national park. See the pictures from the extinguishing work: Photo: Karina Kåven Kaaby Photo: Karina Kåven Kaaby Photo: Karina Kåven Kaaby Moose hunters reported the fire The moose hunt is underway and it was moose hunters who first reported the fire in Anárjohka. Fire Chief Fagerli suspects that the hunt may have something to do with the cause of the fire. – There are a lot of people around the forest because of the elk hunt, and now there will probably be some grouse hunting too, so it is likely that something like that has started it, he says. On 15 September, the bonfire ban ends throughout Norway. There is still a risk of forest fires in south-eastern parts of Finnmark, the Meteorological Institute reports. The map shows the danger warning for forest fires in Finnmark. The danger warning is valid until 12 September. Photo: Meteorological Institute The fire chief is now urging people to be careful in nature. – I sincerely hope that people use their heads. Fire in general is phy-phy. And ideally they shouldn’t smoke once, I think. A little snipe, it makes a big halloi. On Tuesday morning, the Meteorological Institute increased the danger level for forest fires in Eastern Finnmark. The leader of the Karasjok elk hunters’ association, Jan Idar Somby, says everyone should make sure they have enough water if they are going to light a fire. Photo: Ann Marita Eriksen / news The head of the Karasjok elk hunters’ association, Jan Idar Somby, agrees with the fire chief that those who travel out in nature cannot be careful enough. – Those who plan to light a fire must first of all bring water. Secondly, when you put out the fire, you must be absolutely sure that the fire is out. Ideally, you should wait a while to make sure it doesn’t flare up, says Somby. Fire chief Fagerli adds: – They must be 110 per cent sure that it is out. Because it happens so fast. A slight gust of wind and suddenly the fire goes off. And then there is a big circus going on. – Think about this, head of department Ann Christin Rognmo Olsen in the Directorate for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness also agrees with. Ann Christin Rognmo Olsen is acting head of department at the Directorate for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness and believes that we must all act carefully in nature. Photo: DSB – It is important to take responsibility, each and every one of us, and not contribute to fires occurring. Tips for safe bonfires: Take forest fire risk and wind conditions into account. It is always the person who burns the fire who is responsible for fire safety. An adult, sober person should be responsible for the fire. The fire must be at a good distance from buildings and vegetation. It is not allowed to burn fires on rocky outcrops. The fire must not be bigger than you have control over and can put out if necessary. Have suitable extinguishing agents readily available. It is forbidden to burn plastic, building materials and other rubbish. When you leave the campfire, the campfire must be completely extinguished. Source: Sikkerhverdag.no The directorate has put two forest fire helicopters on extra alert following the fires in Finnmark. – Think before you light a fire. Don’t light it, is her appeal to people now when it’s so dry. The article has been updated on Tuesday 10.09.24. with the Meteorological Institute having increased the danger level for forest fires in Eastern Finnmark. Published 09/09/2024, at 21.41 Updated 10.09.2024, at 16.24
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Forest fire in Karasjok: – I have not seen the likes of this before – news Sápmi
