Extreme wildfire risk in parts of Sweden as dry weather raises fire danger

SMHI is warning that the risk of forest and grass fires is high in Götaland, Svealand and parts of southern Norrland. In some areas, the risk is very high, and around Bohuslän, Karlstad and Blekinge it is considered extremely high.

"It will be very dry and sunny weather here in the coming week. So for the rest of the week, you will need to be careful in large parts of the country," says Magnus Joelsson, meteorologist on duty at SMHI.

The fire risk may be temporarily reduced by local showers.

"You have to be careful with things that can start a fire, like working with machinery. It might be worth checking whether there is a local fire ban," he says, adding that the advice is the same regardless of the risk level.

The dry weather was already noticeable on Sunday. Helicopters waterbombed a forest fire outside Hultsfred and a fire south of Boxholm, among others. Both fires are estimated to be around two hectares.