Finland continues support to douse forest fires in Sweden

The Ministry of the Interior on Wednesday decided to continue to help in extinguishing forest fires in Sweden until August 10 following a request made by Sweden, said an official press release.

The Finnish rescue team working in Sweden comprises about 30 people and rescue gear such as fire engines, water tenders, motor pumps and all-terrain vehicles.

The members of the rescue team are from the North Savo, Oulu-Koillismaa and Lapland Rescue Departments, and they are currently off duty and not on standby. This ensures that the readiness to respond to possible forest fires and wildfires is maintained in Finland. The firefighters are members of rescue departments or contract fire brigades.

"Rescue departments have showed flexibility and readiness to operate in long-term assistance duties. The strength of the team stays the same although the members are replaced by others in the middle of the operation. By helping Sweden, our rescue departments gain useful experience for our national readiness," said Minister of the Interior Kai Mykkänen.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (Myndigheten för samhällsskydd och beredskap, MSB) has thanked Finland for its significant contribution. Finnish firefighters have a lot of expertise, for example in extinguishing fires in challenging terrain.