Finland conducts record number of wildfire surveillance flights this spring

Finnish authorities have carried out a record number of aerial wildfire surveillance missions this spring due to prolonged dry conditions, the Ministry of the Interior announced on Tuesday.

The dry weather has significantly increased the risk of ground fires across the country, prompting an unprecedented level of monitoring. Surveillance flights, conducted one to two times daily along designated routes, are now being supplemented by satellite observations, according to Tommi Luhtaniemi, chief inspector at the ministry’s rescue department.

“Surveillance flights this year have reached record numbers for the season,” Luhtaniemi stated, noting that Finland’s emergency response capabilities have improved through enhanced inter-agency cooperation and refined fire management strategies.

Human activity remains a leading cause of wildfires, despite some cases where the ignition source is unknown, said Paul Nyberg, duty chief at Central Uusimaa Rescue Services. He warned that even a small spark in dry terrain can trigger a blaze, and stressed that open burning is strictly prohibited during wildfire warnings.

Nyberg urged residents to verify active fire warnings and municipal environmental regulations before burning garden waste. Many municipalities have banned burning in built-up areas, while rural locations require careful site selection—avoiding structures, power lines, and peat soil, where smouldering fires pose a particular risk.

For safer burning, Nyberg recommended using a metal container, such as a barrel, to contain debris and reduce ground spread. Firefighting equipment and ample water must also be on hand to fully extinguish flames and prevent embers from lingering.