Local tradition continues as Likasaari island burns in controlled annual fire

A low-lying island in the Torne River was deliberately set ablaze Saturday evening as part of a decades-old local tradition, despite an active ground fire warning in the region, Yle reports.

The fire on Likasaari, a grassy island north of Tornio, was allowed to burn under supervision by emergency services, who confirmed it had extinguished by Sunday morning. Authorities monitored the blaze to prevent spread but made no attempt to extinguish it, as only dry reeds and grass were burning.

Local resident Pekka Pelttari from Tornio’s Karungi village told Yle the island has been burned annually since at least the 1970s, though the perpetrator remains unknown each year. “Someone always lights it, but no one ever knows who,” he said. The tradition, he explained, clears last year’s dead grass, and the fire typically ignites dramatically at dusk. This year’s burn occurred earlier than usual due to an early spring, with the island drying out faster and burning completely in just a few hours.

Emergency services received initial reports of the fire Saturday evening, dispatching eight units to the scene. After drone reconnaissance confirmed only vegetation was burning, all but one unit were released. Fire Chief Jukka Huttunen noted that while the cause remains officially undetermined, police may investigate under fire safety laws. Smoke from the blaze dispersed southward along the river due to wind conditions.

Despite Finland’s widespread ground fire warnings—including in the Meri-Lappi region—Pelttari said this was not the first time Likasaari had been burned during such restrictions. “People are just more careful now,” he added. The 1.5 km-long, 400 m-wide island, regularly flooded by spring waters, saw an estimated 95% of its area consumed by flames.

Huttunen reminded residents to check fire warnings before lighting open flames, as risk areas continue shifting northward with rising temperatures.