EU assists Sweden in fighting forest fires

BRUSSELS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission said on Saturday that it has been sending resources to Sweden to battle forest fires.

The Commission said it sent 5 planes, 6 helicopters, 56 vehicles and 194 personnel, after a request for assistance from Sweden. There are also additional offers from European Union member states.

The EU's emergency Copernicus satellite is also helping Sweden provide damage assessment maps of the affected areas.

Unprecedented forest fires have been raging hundreds of hectares in the Swedish regions of Jamtland, Gavleborg, Dalarna, Norrbotten and Vasterbotten.