A European-wide fire-fighting force has helped Sweden to battle an unprecedented level of forest fires this summer. So far, seven fire-fighting planes, seven helicopters, 60 vehicles and over 340 personnel have been offered through the EU's civil protection mechanism, thanks to Italy, France, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Portugal, Poland and Austria.  Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said: "We have been working 24/7 to help Sweden. This is our duty in a Europe that protects and is close to citizens.  Some 27 fires are currently blazing across Sweden, that ...