Dan Eliasson on forest fires: Do not underestimate the crisis

MSB is now concerned that four of the largest fires can not be extinguished.

– This is the most serious and difficult situation in which Swedish rescue services were found, "said Dan Eliasson

Sweden's preparedness to forest fires must be strengthened.

He authorizes both Stefan Löfven and Dan Eliasson, Director General of the Society for Social Protection and Preparedness.

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This is because Forest fires in Sweden Stefan Löfven and Dan Eliasson, Director General of MSB, called for a press conference

They were both in the zones to form an opinion on the situation. Thursday, estimated at 20,000 hectares of forest and Friday morning, the largest fires do not seem to give way to the rescue service.

– We are in direct contact with the emergency services across the country. to clarify that "It is the most serious and difficult situation in which Swedish rescue services have been located.I want to warn to underestimate the situation – it can still worsen and the situation is serious" said Dan Eliasson.

"Waiting for the weather to change."

The aid that went through the EU, two Italian firefighters, two French and helicopters from Lithuania, Germany and Norway may not be enough. 19659003] Dan Eliasson estimates that the current great fires in Gävleborg, Dalarna and Jämtland will not be extinguished under current weather conditions. According to SMHI, it takes quickly about 100 millimeters of rain to get rid of the worst drought currently available.

Nothing indicates for the moment that this will happen, except for a Sunday a little cooler. Next week, the heat should continue, with the risk of thunderstorms.

Four wildfires are unavailable

According to MSB, four of the fires are now considered extinct. There are Fågelsjö / Lillåsen fires in Jämtland, Kårböle in Gävleborg county, Trängslet in Dalarna and Brattsjö outside Önsköldsvik, considered the most serious

– Four fires are now considered serious. turn off now. What we can do now is work to limit them so that they do not go against villages or communities, says Marcus Årskog, spokesman for the special organization of MSB wildfires, at TT.

– We see that drying deeper layers of soil continues to make fires more difficult to extinguish at # 39; future. Larger fires can not be extinguished. It may take several weeks until the time turns around. We have to make difficult priorities right now.

"Undersized rescue services"

The question of why Sweden does not have its own national fire-fighting system was raised.

The municipal rescue services that direct the work are facing a major task with the support of County Administrative Boards, other municipalities and volunteers.

"Despite this, we are facing major challenges: Swedish rescue services are not sized to cope with this type of fire," said Dan Eliasson

Even Löfven believes that the preparation to cope at this type of extreme weather conditions needs to be strengthened.

– When that is the case, the government, with others, will evaluate and analyze. I already feel that our preparation will have to be further strengthened for a more extreme time and the attendant risks. We must strengthen civil defense.