Small rainfall in recent months has led to grass and heather fire hazards in much of southern Norway. This has resulted in very low and low groundwater levels in many lakes and rivers in eastern and southern Norway.
The highest level of risk
– There is a risk of grass and heather fires spreading in many parts of the interior, and no specific rain is expected in eastern Norway next week. Risk level is orange, the highest risk we have for wildfires in Norway, says Eiselin Schjerwagen, a state meteorologist with the Norwegian Meteorological Agency.
The fire risk will continue until there is significant rain, and no more rain is expected in eastern Norway next week.
We have to look far into this
– There is no danger of wildfires because the ground does not dry out too far, but if the dry weather continues it becomes clear that the ground will stay dry for a long time and the risk of wildfires increases, says state meteorologist Pende. Tail
In addition, it blooms and grows strong these days, so the trees and plants absorb the water that is in the ground.
– Blinder in Oslo has never had such a small amount of rainfall since the 1937 census began. A total of 13.3 millimeters of rain fell, compared to 85 millimeters in a normal year, according to state meteorologist Pente Wall.
Wildfire Risk: Rogland, Westland County and the Austland area are all at high risk for wildfires. Source: Yr.no.
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He says the Mestot measurement station at Christiansand recorded 33 millimeters of rain in March and April.
Will dry in 120 years
– These are the driest months not in 120 years. Wall tells Dagbladet that there has been little rainfall since 1900.
April is classified as the driest, while it is the driest in Rogaland, Akhtar and Telemark. Eastern and southern Norway received 50 to 95 percent less rainfall than normal, according to the Meteorological Agency.
Firefighters must continue to evacuate to extinguish wildfires and other fires.
– Currently the forest is very dry, so it is best to avoid starting a fire, says Sigurd Folgero Dalen, communications manager at the Oslo Fire and Rescue Service.
He reminds you that if you are going to light a fire or a disposable grill, it must be done at an approved campfire site.
– We see that there are some who are better at lighting fires than extinguishing them. Dylan says it’s important to have enough water to put out the fire completely.
Drought creates challenges
The Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy (NVE) says drought in southern Norway could pose challenges to water supply, power generation, agriculture, boat transport and life in the waters. Press release.
– NVE encourages everyone to be concerned and avoids water absorption that contributes to drainage in water bodies. Hervé Colleuille, division manager at NVE, says life in aquifers and others that require water absorption below aquifers should be taken into account.
Trains were stopped by a grass fire
Low water level
– Water levels in eastern and southern Norway are declining due to lack of rainfall. The water level in the aquifers is much lower than normal, for example, Mjøsa, yeren, Randsfjorden, Sperillen, Tyrifjorden and Krøderen. It takes about 10-20 years between each time you experience a low water level as it is now at this time of year, says Coliul.
Many countries have been affected, he said.
– This is a drought that does not only affect Norway. The southern parts of Sweden and Denmark, and even from Germany to northern Europe to the Baltic states. It primarily controls it, with or without rainfall.
Troll Water: Minor snowfall in the mountains should cause the water level to be lower than normal. Photographed by Griffsenkill on Trollvan. Photo: Bjørn Langsem / Dagbladet
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Introduces controls
He hopes that in the absence of significant rainfall, a serious situation could develop that could lead to the introduction of local regulations.
– Some may enjoy empty wells, and there may be challenges in power generation, which has already arisen. Problems can also arise with ferry traffic.
– Agricultural industry will also be affected. As it is the growing season now, more water is needed, he continues.
If it does not rain much in May, it will surpass food production.
– If the groundwater level and water flow in the rivers continue to fall after May, it may be necessary to introduce restrictions on water use, Collou tells Dakplate.
Here he gets enough “man shit weather”
– soon
– In addition, there is little snow in the mountains in eastern Norway, so rivers are not filled with water as ice melts, Colleuille says.
Forecasts by the Norwegian Meteorological Agency show continued dry weather in the coming weeks, and the situation will not improve until the second half of May.
It is not uncommon for drought to strike so quickly.
– We never experienced that earlier this year. In 2018 we experienced a drought, but it was from late June to early September. It’s very early in early May, so we’re worried, says Coliul.
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