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EU Offers Further Support for Sweden in Fighting Wildfires (PHOTOS)

© REUTERS / TT News AgencyAn aerial view of the wildfire outside Ljusdal, Sweden, July 18, 2018
An aerial view of the wildfire outside Ljusdal, Sweden, July 18, 2018 - Sputnik International
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BRUSSELS (Sputnik) - The European Commission is coordinating further EU member-states' assistance to help Sweden battle vast forest fires across the country, the Commission said in a press release.

"EU coordinates further assistance to help Sweden fight forest fires… Earlier this week, the Commission mobilized firefighting aircraft from Italy and France through the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, which has since been operating in the affected areas. Further EU support has now been offered by Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark," the press release said.

According to the press release, EU countries have already provided Sweden with five planes, including one reconnaissance plane and water-carrying aircraft, six firefighting helicopters as well as with vehicles and firefighters.

READ MORE: WATCH Sweden Fight 'Most Serious Wildfire Situation of Modern Times'

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The hot and dry weather, as well as poor rainfall in Sweden, have resulted in extensive forest fires across the country, which broke out earlier in July.

According to local media, the total number of fires in the country has decreased from 80 on Friday night to just over 40 on Saturday morning and might further go down as rains are expected to fall later in the day.

On Monday, Sweden activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and requested the assistance of EU member-states to fight the fires.

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