Over the weekend, 14 alarms for outdoor fires were received across all inland municipalities in the Norran area, with the majority in Arvidsjaur, Arjeplog, and Malå, but also in Norsjö.
On Sunday evening, 200 square meters of forest burned in the Ursviken area, reportedly causing a smoke smell in Ursviken, Skelleftehamn, and Stackgrönnan.
Asked about the extinguishing work, Henrik Lindgren stated:
– It has gone very well. Rescue services and teams from Kalvträsk, Norsjö, Burträsk and Boliden, among others, have been out working, says Lindgren.
Regarding the current situation, Lindgren added:
– Right now we are licking our wounds and replenishing vehicles and materials. We are ready for new assignments.
The alarms poured in mainly during thunderstorms that moved inland. VK reported that a total of 50 forest fire alarms came in across Västerbotten during the weekend, leading to rescue vehicles from Skellefteå and other areas being dispatched inland for reinforcement.
Skellefteå Kraft's electricity network experienced around 40 power outages, particularly on Saturday, though electricity was restored to most residents after a short while, according to the company's operational information.
Aftonbladet noted the unusual deployment of all the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency's (MSB) firefighting aircraft to northern Sweden over the weekend. The agency has 12 firefighting helicopters on site in the north.
– There have been a lot of activations today, but this is also how the resources should be used; there should be a low threshold for activation, says Anna Wennerström, press officer at MSB, to the newspaper on Sunday.
SMHI continues to warn of a "very high to extremely high" risk of forest fires and has maintained its warning for high temperatures in northern Sweden, which remains in effect until further notice. The fire ban also stays in place.
– It is the county administrative board that decides on it, but based on the fire risk forecast it looks like it will hold up, says Henrik Lindgren.
When asked for an appeal to the public, Lindgren urged:
– Respect what is said and be careful. Report if you see a fire, but please stay at the scene, so you can help and guide us to the right place.