Finland adopts controlled burning to fight wildfires

Finnish rescue services are introducing controlled burning—a tactic already used in southern Europe—to contain and redirect wildfires, Yle reports.

The method, known as backfiring, involves firefighters deliberately setting small, managed fires ahead of an advancing wildfire. By burning fine, flammable material in the fire’s path, crews create a barrier of already-burned land that halts its spread.

“In practice, we burn combustible material in front of the approaching fire front, stopping its progress when it reaches the burned area,” explained Teemu Veneskari, rescue chief at the Kymenlaakso Rescue Department. Veneskari studied the technique in France and Spain and is now helping implement it in Finland.

First training sessions held Last month, rescue services in Kymenlaakso and North Karelia hosted Finland’s inaugural backfiring training, combining theory with practical exercises. Around a dozen firefighters from across the country participated in the pilot program.

“Our goal is to roll this expertise out to rescue services nationwide,” Veneskari said. “This gives us a critical new tool for wildfire suppression.”

The technique does not replace traditional water-based firefighting but requires careful planning. “We must assess conditions like terrain and ensure operational safety before deploying backfires,” Veneskari noted.

Longer fire seasons drive adoption Finland’s wildfire seasons have grown longer due to prolonged dry spells and warmer summers, prompting authorities to explore new suppression methods. While backfiring is standard in regions like southern Europe and North America, its adoption in the Nordics marks a shift in wildfire preparedness.