Experience gained from 15 years of fire protection plans for Nordic wooden towns in Norway

• National heritage status important driver for improved fire protection. 25% safety plan coverage in 2014, increased to 60% 2020. Stamina, i.e. systematic work over 10+ years, an success criterion. Automatic smoke alarms and IR cameras very early response. Knowledge sharing between involved parties should be strengthened. There is a genuine will protect Nordic wooden towns Norway, as they are considered national part of the urban identity. The protection ongoing cooperation private owners, who required keep their property up codes, authorities works limit residual conflagration risk. present study systemizes initiatives successes challenges. Research literature, legal framework, municipality site plans were analyzed. Personnel from municipalities, services directorates interviewed. Compared other countries, Norway has indeed come long way regarding practical mitigating measures. In year 2000, first dedicated protecting developed. had plans, 2020, 60%. Status thus, financial support Directorate Cultural Heritage, was most factor. Measures often not evaluated prior implementation, partly due lack horizontal knowledge municipalities involved. Important lessons have thus been gained separately, shared. Smoke detection alarming brigades directly documented prevented major losses. common firefighting challenges related locating accessing fires cavities. Through clearer wording regulations, better sharing, could with limited additional costs.