Firefighters contain 50-hectare peat fire in Huittinen after overnight operation

A large peat fire in Huittinen, western Finland, was brought under control early Tuesday after spreading across 50 hectares, but firefighters warn that full extinguishment will take days.

Satakunta Emergency Services confirmed the blaze at the Nanhiansuo peat production site was contained around 1–2 a.m., though smoldering hotspots remain. “We’re now in the mop-up phase, which will continue for a long time—likely a couple of days,” duty fire chief Mats Paloranta told Yle.

The fire damaged peat harvesting equipment and scorched about 10 hectares of forest floor, though most trees survived. At its peak, the operation involved dozens of units from Satakunta and Pirkanmaa, supported by two helicopters.

Strong winds and dry, dusty peat had fueled the fire’s rapid spread Monday evening, with Paloranta noting flames advanced “almost faster than a person can run.” Thick smoke from the blaze was visible as far as the Uusimaa region.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.