Campfires have caused several fires on different islands of Lake Inarijärvi during the recent weeks. Most recently, yesterday, Monday 5 August 2024, the Rescue Department of Lapland extinguished fires on Koirasaaret Islands and Jekkimösaari Island. The Rescue Department of Lapland and Metsähallitus remind those travelling in the area that a fire warning is in force in the area and that it is forbidden to make any fires.
According to the Rescue Department’s assessment, the fires that started in late summer were caused by human activities, such as campfires lit by hikers.
- The terrain of Lake Inarinjärvi is treacherous. A fire can remain in the terrain for days, even if you think you have put out the fire. In windy weather, the fire will then flare up," warns Pekka Siivola, the fire chief on duty at the Lapland Rescue Department.
Since mid-July, there have been fires on six different islands in Lake Inarijärvi. It is a long way to the islands to extinguish the fire. The fires cause extra work for both the rescue service and Metsähallitus, whose employees are responsible for post-fire protection.
The responsibility for extinguishing costs is always with the person who caused the damage. The Rescue Department has reported the fires on the Lake Inarijärvi to the police, as it is likely that the fire has been caused by careless fire handling.
Fires can now only be lit in the day-use huts, use a camping stove in the terrain
During a wildfire warning, fires are only allowed in covered fireplaces with chimneys. The official fireplaces on Lake Inarijärvi are not equipped with
chimneys, so they may not be used during a wildfire warning. You should also carefully consider making a fire if the terrain is dry, even if a wildfire warning is not in effect.
- When a wildfire warning is in force, a good way to cook in the field is to use a gas camping stove. It is safe to use a gas cooker during a wildfire warning if the cooker is used on a non-combustible surface, such as a rock," says Kirsi Ukkonen, a recreation specialist at Metsähallitus.
The camping stove will continue to be used on Lake Inarijärvi in the coming days, as long as the dry weather continues and the wildfire warnings are in force.
- The terrain is now extremely dry here. We appeal to hikers to understand the seriousness of the situation and the damage to nature and to refrain from making a fire," says Ukkonen.
The current wildfire warnings are available on the Finnish Meteorological Institute's website: warnings
and safety.
Fire-fighting activities of the Rescue Department on the islands of Lake Inarijärvi have been in:
- Siltasaaret Islands 17.7.
- Tissisaaret Islands 28.7.
- Heikinsaaret Islands 31.7.
- Lusmasaari Island 3.8.
- Koirasaaret Islands 5.8.
- Jekkimösaari Island 5.8.
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