Oslo, March 18, 2026 – The Europe Today: A major forest fire broke out on the slopes of Sukkertoppen mountain near the city of Ålesund, prompting the evacuation of around 450 people as authorities struggle to bring the blaze under control, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
The fire started at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday, with emergency services responding swiftly. However, by late evening, the fire continued to burn intensely, raising concerns among local authorities and residents.
Firefighters have been working to protect nearby homes by spraying them with cold water to reduce the risk of ignition from intense radiant heat. “It gets very hot and it’s windy, so embers form,” said Sindre Kongshaug from the emergency alarm center, explaining the heightened danger posed by flying sparks.
Strong winds in the area have further complicated firefighting efforts, although weather conditions are expected to improve as winds are forecast to subside by midnight. Despite this, rescue personnel warned that the fire is unlikely to be contained in the immediate hours.
“This won’t be over quickly. It’s an ongoing operation that will probably continue for several more hours,” said Kjartan Molvaer of Ålesund’s rescue service.
Authorities remain on high alert as firefighting operations continue, with efforts focused on preventing the spread of the fire and safeguarding residential areas.
