Finland has offered assistance to help Sweden fight forest fires and is waiting for a reply

On 26 July, Finland offered Sweden assistance to help in extinguishing the largest forest fires in the country’s history. Finland is prepared to send about 35 firefighters with equipment to Sweden. In practice, this would mean fire engines, water tenders, motor pumps and all-terrain vehicles. Sweden has not yet responded to the offer.

"Last week we could not mobilise any people or equipment to Sweden as all our resources were being used to fight forest fires in different parts of Finland. Now the forest fires and wildfires in Northern and Southwestern Finland have been brought under control and we are able to send help to Sweden," says Jussi Korhonen, Director, Civil Emergency Preparedness, who is deputising for the Director General for Rescue Services.

If Sweden accepts Finland’s offer to send firefighters and equipment, the team will be ready to leave within 24 hours of the order. Those volunteering to go will be from the North Savo, Oulu-Koillismaa and Lapland Rescue Departments. The Finnish rescue team will be self-sufficient, and will be taking care of its own accommodation and logistics.

Sweden has been fighting the fires for almost two weeks now.

"Sweden continues to hope for aerial firefighting equipment in particular, which we do not have. Rescue departments do not have their own helicopters, instead in Finland we rely on those of the Border Guard and the Defence Forces. We could, however, send firefighting equipment and firefighters who would surely be needed as backup crews, explains Rami Ruuska, Senior Officer for Rescue Services.

The volunteers for the teams to be deployed have been recruited from several rescue departments and they are currently off duty and not on standby. This ensures that the readiness to respond to forest fires and wildfires is maintained in Finland. Drought causes a rise in the forest fire index throughout Finland. According to forecasts, the forest fire warning will cover over half of Finland's surface area at the end of this week.

Sweden has requested help from other Nordic countries and several EU Member States to assist in extinguishing the forest fires. Many countries have sent assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Inquiries

Jussi Korhonen, Director, Civil Emergency Preparedness, deputising for the Director General for Rescue Services, tel. +358 295 488 289, jussi.korhonen@intermin.fi

Rami Ruuska, Senior Officer for Rescue Services, tel. +358 295 488 424, rami.ruuska@intermin.fi