High fire risk across much of Sweden amid heatwave

Sweden’s heatwave has triggered a high to extreme risk of wildfires across large parts of Götaland and Svealand, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) warned on Friday. The alert remains in effect until 23:00.

On Gotland, the risk is classified as high or very high for the day. The warning, issued on Sunday, has no set end date.

SMHI urges caution with open flames and outdoor machinery use, as sparks can ignite fast-spreading fires. It also notes that fires in utility corridors may disrupt power and telecom networks.

A total fire ban took effect on Gotland from Thursday afternoon.