Sweden has imposed a fire ban in Norberg and Fagersta and deployed six helicopters across three counties as authorities confront high wildfire risk across large parts of the country. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute warns of great to very great fire danger in Götaland, much of Svealand and southeastern Norrland, with locally extreme conditions. The ban, effective from midday on Wednesday, followed immediately by reports of two forest fires in Västmanland. Violators face fines, though grilling in fixed, fireproof facilities remains permitted. The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, which has up to ten helicopters available, says preparation has improved since the devastating 2018 fires that destroyed 25,000 hectares.
In neighbouring Germany, the German Weather Service reports moderate wildfire danger across Schleswig-Holstein, with elevated risk near the Danish border. Danger levels are expected to drop significantly by Friday. A World Wide Fund for Nature study found German forest fires reached their highest levels since 2003 in 2018, 2019 and 2022.