Wildfire surveillance flights resume in Finland after brief pause

Wildfire surveillance flights have resumed across Finland this week following a short break in early July, reports Yle.

The flights, typically operated by local aviation clubs or specialized companies, had seen record activity this spring, with over 100 missions in April and May alone. The Finnish Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the dry and warm spring conditions drove the unusually high number of flights, with a total of around 230 missions conducted nationwide so far this year.

Operations were temporarily halted at the start of July but have now restarted in regions including Central Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia. Flights are triggered when the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s wildfire index exceeds four and a wildfire warning is in effect.

Satakunta and Pirkanmaa have required the most surveillance flights this summer. The flights cover 22 routes across the country and are expected to continue until at least September, according to Rami Ruuska, senior inspector at the Emergency Services Agency.