Inari and Savukoski wildfires rage on

Two large wildfires are burning in northern Finland, with emergency services reporting active blazes in Inari and Savukoski as of Wednesday afternoon.

In Inari, the fire near Lake Inari’s northeastern shore in the Joukhaislompolon area remains inaccessible by land due to difficult terrain, according to Lapland Rescue Services and Metsähallitus, Finland’s state forest management agency. The blaze is being monitored but not actively fought from the ground, as access is only possible by air. Smoke from the fire may be visible over a wide area.

In Savukoski, a wildfire broke out along Lokka Road, several kilometers from the village of Tanhuvaara. Emergency units arrived at the scene Wednesday afternoon and are currently battling the flames.

The fires follow a recent spate of wildfires in the region, including a three-hectare peatland fire in Ranua on Monday.

Lapland Rescue Services has reminded the public that a wildfire warning is in effect across much of Lapland, prohibiting open fires. Even outside warning periods, caution is urged when handling fire.