Sharp increase in forest fires – no rain in sight

The recent heat has caused major problems in several parts of the country. In large parts of Sweden there is a high risk of forest fires.

"There are areas where it is very dry, especially from Gävle and southwards," says Elin Bohman, press officer at MSB.

In many cases, it is humans who cause forest fires.

"The situation is strained, it is important to be careful and to think twice," says Elin Bohman, press secretary at MSB.

The fires came early this year

Figures produced by SVT Södertälje show that Södertörn's Fire Brigade Association has had to respond to 40 percent more forest and land fires this year than during the same period in 2022.

The Greater Stockholm Fire Department, which covers the municipalities further north in the county, believes that the fires in forests and fields have come earlier this year compared to before.

"We extinguish around 20 land and forest fires in the region every day," says Björn Westerdahl, Head of Communications at the Greater Stockholm Fire Department.