Wildfire risk high as dry conditions prompt open fire bans

Large parts of Finland are under a ground fire warning, with authorities prohibiting open fires due to exceptionally dry spring conditions, public broadcaster Yle reports.

The warning, introduced in 2024 to replace separate grassland and forest fire alerts, bans any fire that could spread along the ground or via sparks. This includes direct ground-level campfires, though built fire pits with spark guards and insulation from the ground may still be used with extreme caution.

Tero Haapala, rescue chief for the Kanta-Häme region, told Yle that most wildfires start due to human carelessness. “Negligence, improperly extinguished cigarette butts, and burning waste are very common causes,” he said. Some fires in the region are also suspected to be deliberately set, according to police.

The dry conditions have already led to multiple wildfires, straining emergency services. “A single wildfire can tie up crews and equipment across a large area for hours,” Haapala noted. Remote locations make firefighting difficult, as transporting water to the site often requires significant effort.

Anyone causing a wildfire may face financial liability, police warned. “Investigations are conducted whether the fire was intentional or due to recklessness that should have been foreseen,” said Senior Constable Senni Kokko of Häme Police.

Rescue services urge the public to check active warnings via the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website and to report fires immediately to emergency services. “The biggest mistake is trying to handle the situation alone for too long,” Haapala said.