Sweden faces high risk of grass and forest fires

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) has warned of a high risk of grass and forest fires across large parts of the country.

On Wednesday, the risk of forest fires is classified as high or very high in parts of central and southern Sweden, including the regions of Svealand and Götaland, as well as Gotland, according to public broadcaster SVT Nyheter. The agency cautions that fires could spread rapidly and urges the public to exercise extreme caution with open flames.

Additionally, the risk of grass fires is deemed high from northern Värmland to northern Västerbotten between 10:00 and 20:00. Dry grass from previous years could easily ignite, SMHI noted.