Is Sweden better prepared after last year’s historic wildfire season?
Last summer’s record-breaking wildfires were the worst in recent memory. But with a spate of grass or forest fires already ablaze, how prepared is Sweden this year?
”We are seeing risk levels now that we normally see in August” Jakob Wernerman, head of operations at the Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) tells Radio Sweden.
On Wednesday, the agency announced a series of measures to boost Sweden’s fire fighting capabilities, including the use of 30 helicopters that can be in the air and at a fire within 90 minutes.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Wildfire evacuations have unique impacts on Indigenous communities: study, CBC News
Finland: Warm temperatures recorded across Finland, Yle News
Norway: Arctic Norway: temperatures on Svalbard have been above normal for 100 straight months, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Small fires break out due to dry conditions, Radio Sweden
United States: 2018 was the 4th-warmest year on record, NOAA and NASA reveal, CBC News
