A large forest fire broke out just north of Lustebo between Grycksbo and Bjursås in Falu municipality on Tuesday. Rescue services suspect a forestry machine sparked it on stones in a storm-damaged area. Two helicopters and ground crews brought the fire under control late in the evening.
Rescue services were alerted to the fire around 13:00 on Tuesday after a smoke plume was spotted in the forest just north of Lustebo. The area was initially about three hectares and grew to over 500 by 800 meters by 16:15. Rescue leader Johan Melin stated the fire was likely sparked by a forestry machine hitting stones in the dry, storm-felled forest material.
Around 30 personnel from seven stations took part in the firefighting, along with at least eight vehicles and two MCF helicopters that water-bombed the area until nightfall. Tracked vehicles were used to navigate the difficult terrain, according to SOS Alarm team leader Ola Åström. The distance to Lustebo village was about 660 meters, with efforts focused on holding a forest road as a containment line.
The situation was described as half-critical during the afternoon, with the fire spreading southeast in the wind. "It is stressful now when we do not have it under control", Melin said. Late in the evening, he reported the fire under control but still burning over a large area, with ground crews continuing work.
Smoke drifted over Lustebo, causing discomfort for residents. "It smells terribly of smoke in the village", said Ove Sköld, while Per Lundström noted: "Smoke has drifted over the village and it smells quite bad".
Melin urged forestry workers to be "extremely vigilant" and alert immediately at signs of fire, and the public to avoid storm-felled areas due to the high fire risk in the dry weather. The fire resembles several others in Dalarna at the end of April, often caused by machines.
