Sweden struggles to contain wildfires as heatwave continues

Dozens of forest wildfires are raging across Sweden, prompting the country to ask for emergency EU help to fight the blazes, which broke out during an extreme heatwave in the region.


The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) said two Italian firefighting aircraft have been sent to assist in badly hit areas of central Sweden, while Norway has dispatched six helicopters.

Swedish authorities said 44 fires are burning across the country, urging locals living close to the blazes in the central counties of Gavleborg, Jamtland and Dalarna to evacuate.

Even northern Swedish Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle, has been affected.

Five wildfires are burning in the forests outside the town of Jokkmokk, a popular tourist destination in the winter.

"The last time we saw wildfires of this calibre was 12 years ago," rescue officer Thomas Andersson said.
 (rte)
 18/7/18