Popular Nuuksio fire site to lose firewood as Metsähallitus cuts costs

Metsähallitus will stop delivering firewood to the Urja rest site in Espoo’s Nuuksio, saving about €8,000 a year, the agency’s service owner Joel Heino told Yle.

The site is one of 154 where maintenance or firewood supply will be reduced after last year’s tendering of 800 rest stops. Heino cited the site’s difficult access, lack of maintenance roads, and high demand as reasons for the cut.

Finnish Hiking Association chair Hannele Pöllä warned that nature will suffer as visitors may gather firewood from the forest or walk off designated paths when wood is no longer provided. She called the state’s approach contradictory, noting the government programme pledges to maintain existing national parks and hiking routes.

Heino said Luontopalvelut has faced deficits for about 20 years, with new sites added but no corresponding increase in basic maintenance funding. Rising costs and a weak state financial outlook further strain the budget.