EU nations help Sweden as wildfires rage above Arctic Circle

A fire engine arrives at the scene of a wildfire in Karbole, outside Ljusdal (Mats Andersson/TT News Agency/AP) Credit: AP/Press Association Images

Sweden is fighting its most serious wildfires in decades – including blazes above the Arctic Circle.

The fires have prompted the government to seek help from several other European nations.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said his government is working “every minute” to get necessary resources to the hundreds of firefighters and emergency workers fighting some 50 blazes.

A fire engine arrives at the scene of a wildfire in Karbole, outside Ljusdal. Credit: Mats Andersson/TT News Agency/AP

The fires are mostly in central and western Sweden but also in the north, above the Arctic Circle.

Other European countries have offered to help Sweden as it tackles the blazes Credit: AP

Sweden has received assistance – including water-bombing planes, helicopters and staff – from Italy and Norway. Denmark, Germany, France and Lithuania have also pledged to help.

Sweden is fighting its most serious wildfires in decades. Credit: AP

Temperatures in Sweden and its Nordic neighbours Finland and Sweden have reached over 32C this week, making the region’s brush and forests highly flammable.