'Extreme' wildfire warning as Sweden braces for mid-week summer heatwave
In the southern half of Sweden, temperatures could hit 30C in several areas by mid-week, according to the national weather agency, SMHI.
SMHI is warning that the heat could pose an increased risk of health problems for vulnerable groups if the warm weather persists for several days.
"A high-pressure system and warmer air are moving in. It's not impossible that temperatures will reach 30C in several places," SMHI meteorologist Linus Falk told the TT newswire.
This applies primarily to Wednesday and Thursday, when the heatwave is expected to peak. Temperatures could reach between 26C and 33C as far north as the central Norrland coast.
It is still too early to say whether Sweden will experience "tropical nights" – when temperatures do not drop below 20C.
Despite a previous heatwave in June, the upcoming temperatures are not normal for July.
"It might not completely shatter records, but it is not normal," Falk said.
Meanwhile, the risk of wildfires over the coming days is high in nearly half of the country, and extremely high in certain parts.
SMHI notes that the risk of fires in forests and fields is high in Götaland, Svealand and parts of southern Norrland. In some areas, the risk is very high, and around Bohuslän, Karlstad and Blekinge, it is deemed extremely high.
"It will be very dry and sunny in the coming week. So until the end of the week, people will need to be careful in large parts of the country," SMHI meteorologist Magnus Joelsson told TT.
Local showers could temporarily dampen the fire risk.
"You have to be careful with anything that can start a fire, such as working with machinery. It's well worth checking if there is a local fire ban in place," said Joelsson, adding that the same applies regardless of the risk level.
The dry weather had already made its mark on Sunday. Helicopters water-bombed a forest fire outside Hultsfred and another south of Boxholm, among others. Both fires were estimated to be around two hectares in size.
Swedish vocabulary: a fire ban – ett eldningsförbud
Drowning deaths in Sweden almost halved so far this year
Eight people died in drowning accidents during June – a decrease compared to the same month last year.
According to preliminary statistics from the Swedish Life Saving Society (SLS), eight people drowned in June, compared to 14 in June 2025.
So far this year, 22 people have dried in drowning accidents, compared to 40 people during the same period last year.
"It is crucial now that we continue to work together to promote safe behaviour in, on, and near the water," said SLS secretary general Mikael Olausson in a statement.
Swedish vocabulary: to drown – att drunkna
Sweden abolishes permanent residency for future asylum seekers
Sweden's decision to abolish permanent residency for future applicants in certain categories came into effect on July 12th.
The new law makes any future immigrants with residency in Sweden on the basis of asylum, subsidiary protection, "exceptionally distressing circumstances" or Long Term Residence (LTR) ineligible for permanent residency.
Instead, they will receive LTR permits which need to be renewed every five years.
Permanent residency will be reserved for former work permit holders, those with permits to run their own business, those with permits because they are self-sufficient (including spouses and partners), and those with permits on the basis of doctoral studies or research.
The new law also does other things aimed at tightening Sweden's asylum rules to the "EU's legal minimum level", including lowering the age limit for taking fingerprints and photographs to six years old and limiting asylum seekers' right to a lawyer.
Swedish vocabulary: future applicants – framtida sökande
Sweden's criticised 'snitch law' comes into force
From July 13th, six Swedish government agencies will be obliged to inform the police and the Swedish Migration Agency if they suspect that a foreigner lacks the right to reside in Sweden.
The six authorities are the Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), the Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan), the Prison and Probation Service (Kriminalvården), the Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden), the Pensions Agency (Pensionsmyndigheten) and the Tax Agency (Skatteverket).
The law has been criticised by several children's and human rights organisations, and has been described as a "snitch law", by among others trade unions represented at the affected agencies.
The Left Party and Green Party voted against the proposal when parliament debated it in June, as well as the Social Democrats and Centre Party. The latter two parties wanted to raise the bar for when authorities are required to raise the alarm, from there being "reason" to assume that a person has no right to stay in Sweden to there being "strong reasons" to assume that's the case.
Swedish vocabulary: snitch law – angiverilag
New conduct requirements for foreigners
July 13th is also the date from which anyone in Sweden on a residence permit under Swedish law (as opposed to EU law, which covers, e.g. refugees and EU citizens) could have their permits refused or revoked due to "poor conduct" (also translated as "a flawed way of life" – bristande vandel in Swedish).
The acts that can lead to a residence permit being denied or revoked are not explicitly stated in the text of the law, but government representatives and investigators have mentioned as examples not following laws and regulations, not following authority decisions, systematically ignoring paying debts or fines, or working illegally.
Swedish vocabulary: a date – ett datum
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