As Europe burns, memories of Sweden’s deadly Västmanland fire return

A wildfire expert says the large forest fires currently burning in southern Europe share key characteristics with Sweden’s Västmanland wildfire of 2014, including strong winds, dry conditions and pine forests that allow flames to spread rapidly.

Once a fire reaches the forest canopy, it becomes extremely difficult to stop, with firefighters often able to attack only the flanks and rear of the blaze.

For Kenneth Risberg and Anja Langre, survivors of the Västmanland fire, the scenes now unfolding in France and elsewhere in southern Europe are a painful reminder of the disaster. ...