Advertisement

Forest still not safe after Swedish fire

TT/The Local/sr
TT/The Local/sr - [email protected]
Forest still not safe after Swedish fire
The aftermath of the fire. Photo: Fredrik Persson/TT

While Sweden's massive forest fire is finally under control and residents have returned home, firefighters have warned that the forest itself may not be safe for months.

Advertisement

Water-bombing planes and heavy rains earlier this week helped put a damper on Sweden's forest fire in Västmanland, which started late last month and forced over 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.

But although residents were finally able to return home this week, emergency services warned against trying to get back to daily life too soon.

"It's understandable that landowners want to investigate how badly their lands were hit by the fire," forest expert Lars Ambrosiusson said in a statement. "But it is still too early to enter the fire area."

Authorities explained that while flames may not be visible on the surface, roots down below may still be smouldering despite rain and even snow. There is also a high risk of falling trees, as roots may have been burned away, leaving the trees unstable.

Read also: Firefighters told me I had to leave immediately

See pictures from the fire here

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also