Feb 22 • 07:31 UTC 🇮🇸 Iceland Visir

Three wildfires within a day

The capital area's fire department responded to three wildfires in under 24 hours, with two occurring the night before and one in the early morning in Hvalfjörður.

The capital area fire department was called out twice during the night due to wildfires, with two incidents reported around the same time. One of the wildfires broke out in Norðlingaholti in Reykjavík, spanning approximately five hundred meters, and was quickly extinguished by fire crews. A second, smaller fire was reported near Vífilstaðavatn, indicating an unusual occurrence of multiple wildfires in such a short timeframe.

In addition to the two fires in Reykjavík, another wildfire ignited in Hvalfjörður shortly after 2 AM. Firefighters dealt with the blaze that originated from hay bales on land known as Mela, with the extinguishing efforts concluding just before midnight of the following day. Emergency responders noted the challenges posed by the hay bales, contributing to the difficulties faced in controlling the fire, as they are particularly problematic in wildfires.

Overall, the series of wildfires has raised concerns and will likely lead to discussions regarding wildfire management and prevention strategies in the capital area, especially given the recent frequency of these incidents. With the fire department on high alert, further monitoring and possible intervention may be necessary as the season progresses, highlighting the need for community awareness and preparedness for similar emergencies.

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