Wildfires in Inari projected to cost community €100,000 to €200,000 according to Lapland rescue chief

Last week’s wildfires in Inari are projected to cost the community between €100,000 and €200,000, according to Lapland’s rescue chief, Markus Aarto. The fires affected three areas: Sevettijärvi, Kirakkavaara, and Ahvenjärvi, with firefighting efforts also receiving assistance from outside Lapland. The costs will cover salaries for firefighting personnel, fuel, materials, rations, and lodging. Some equipment was damaged during the operation, which will need to be repaired or replaced.

Aarto provided a rough estimate of the total expenses, indicating that he is still unable to assess the specific share attributed to personnel salaries, although he has included additional costs in his estimate. For the rescue service’s budget, these extra costs are included while regular staff salaries are not.

The fire department has not yet determined the exact number of personnel involved in the firefighting efforts. Rescuers from Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia participated, and both regions are expected to submit invoices for their support.

The firefighting lasted six days and concluded on Monday evening. Aarto noted that the maintenance of the equipment used will take weeks. He estimated that the costs of the Inari wildfires represent about half to one percent of the annual budget for the Lapland rescue service, which is already under financial strain due to ongoing budget cuts.

Fortunately, the overall number of wildfires this summer has been around 20 percent lower than usual in areas outside of Northern Lapland due to the rainy weather, which has helped save on costs. Aarto emphasized that the state funding is insufficient to fully cover the expenses of mandatory rescue services, leading to staffing shortages.

Currently, fire warnings remain in effect in Inari and Utsjoki, prohibiting open flames in these municipalities.