SMHI Issues Urgent Fire Risk Warnings Across Southern Sweden
SMHI warns of high forest fire risk in southern Sweden on Midsummer's Day.
Key Points
- • SMHI warns of high fire risk across southern Sweden, especially in Skaraborg region.
- • Public advised to avoid open flames and check local fire bans.
- • Recent warm weather boosts strawberry growth but increases fire risks.
- • Warnings span areas from Gävleborg and Dalarna to Skåne, excluding Halmstad.
On June 21, 2025, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issued urgent warnings regarding a significant and very high risk of forest fires impacting extensive areas in southern Sweden, particularly across Götaland, Svealand, and Gävleborg County, including Gotland. The region most severely affected is Skaraborg, where the fire risk is classified as extremely high, coinciding with the Midsummer celebrations, a time traditionally associated with outdoor activities involving fire.
The SMHI has called on the public to exercise extreme caution, urging individuals to refrain from using open flames and to be vigilant when operating heavy machinery. SMHI emphasized the importance of checking for local fire bans, which have already been implemented in several municipalities, notably in Skåne and Jämtland, as a precautionary measure against potential fire outbreaks.
The warnings span a wide area, from Gävleborg and Dalarna down to Skåne, omitting only Halmstad in the west. With the recent unseasonably warm weather contributing to the heightened fire risk, the institute has noted that nearly all of southern Sweden is affected. This aligns with observations of maximum temperatures recorded up to 29.9 degrees Celsius in Målilla and 29.5 degrees Celsius in Stockholm over the weekend, raising concerns about fire hazards during Midsummer, one of the hottest times of the year.
Moreover, the warm temperatures have positively impacted strawberry growth, noted by Marcus Söderlind, chairman of the LRF's Garden Delegation, highlighting the dual nature of the weather's influence—rendering conditions ripe for both agricultural benefits and environmental hazards.
As the Midsummer festivities approach, local authorities and the SMHI continue to stress public safety, emphasizing awareness and adherence to fire regulations to mitigate the risk of wildfires during this critical time.