Is Sweden better prepared after last year’s historic wildfire season?

Firefighters use a helicopter to fight a forest fire in Korskrogen near Ljusdal, Central Sweden on July 25th. (Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images)
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

David Russell, Radio Sweden

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