Finland Times

 

File Photo – Lehtikuva.

A number of wildfires broke out in different areas of the country on Thursday, fire services sources said.

 

Emergency services across the country were engaged in fighting the wildfires.

 

In Kaarina and Rusko in Southwest Finland, emergency services extinguished two 200 square metre wildfires. 

 

In Kangasniemi in South Savo, wildfire burnt 1.5 hectares of land. The fire was contained and could not spread to any nearby building.

 

In Vieremä in North Savo, 15 acres of grass caught fire during controlled burning, but the fire was extinguished before emergency services arrived.

 

The rescue department said those, for example, burning garbage should take caution right now, because the countryside is dry and a small spark is enough to ignite a blaze.

 

“It’s a fine weather today, and many people have the day off. That is why many might be tempted to burn small heaps of rubbish. I recommend caution. If you are uncertain about the fire in any way, you should not burn any debris at all,” said the fire chief on duty, Marko Ahtikivi from the Southwest Finland rescue department.

 

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a grass fire warning for, among other places, Pirkanmaa, Central Finland, South and North Savonia, North Karelia, Kainuu, and the Ostrobothnia provinces.

 

Also, large grass fire warnings have been issued in the Lapland municipalities of Simo, Kemi, Keminmaa, and Tervola.