Wildfires Engulf Finland’s Lapland
(MENAFN) Widespread wildfires have erupted across Finland’s northern Lapland region in recent days, media reported on Wednesday.
According to the Lapland Rescue Department, emergency teams responded to numerous incidents within a 24-hour span, including sightings of smoke, structural fires, and wildfires.
Blazes have ignited in several municipalities, including Rovaniemi—the capital of Lapland and famously known as the “hometown of Santa Claus.” By Wednesday morning alone, five new wildfires had been recorded. One of the most significant, located in Kemijärvi, had spread over roughly three hectares and had entered the monitoring phase by midday.
To combat the fires, helicopters from the Finnish Border Guard and the Finnish Defense Forces have been deployed for both firefighting and logistics. Additional support has come from volunteer and contract fire brigades throughout the Lapland region.
“There have been sufficient resources to extinguish the fires so far,” said Harri Paldanius, duty manager at the Lapland Rescue Service.
By Wednesday evening, the fires in Kemijärvi, Rovaniemi, and other affected areas had been brought under control, according to updates from the Lapland Rescue Department.
The wildfire threat has been amplified by extreme heat, which has left the region’s terrain tinder-dry. Combined with several passing thunderstorms, these conditions have created a volatile environment for fire outbreaks, media noted.
Since mid-July, an uncharacteristic heatwave has taken hold across Finnish Lapland, which lies inside the Arctic Circle. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has issued two national heatwave alerts since July 10, predicting that temperatures in Lapland may exceed 30°C.
FMI has also released orange-level warnings for heat in certain areas of Lapland, along with wildfire advisories tied to the ongoing dry spell and storm activity.
At the same time, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has cautioned that extended heatwaves could endanger public health—particularly affecting seniors and individuals with chronic illnesses. Authorities have urged people to stay hydrated, monitor vulnerable individuals, and seek medical care immediately if symptoms arise.
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