Alsharq Tribune-AFP
Multiple wildfires have broken out across northern Finland's Lapland region in recent days, local newspaper Koti-Lappi reported Wednesday.
The Lapland Rescue Department said it responded to dozens of incidents over the past 24 hours, including smoke sightings, building fires, and wildfires.
Fires have been reported in several municipalities, including Lapland's capital, Rovaniemi -- widely known as the "hometown of Santa Claus." By Wednesday morning, five new wildfires had already been reported across the region. One of the largest, in the town of Kemijarvi, spanned approximately three hectares and had entered the monitoring phase by midday.
Helicopters from the Finnish Border Guard and the Finnish Defense Forces have been deployed to assist with firefighting and equipment transport. Numerous volunteer and contract fire brigades from across Lapland have also been mobilized.
"There have been sufficient resources to extinguish the fires so far," said Harri Paldanius, duty manager at the Lapland Rescue Service.
As of Wednesday evening, fires in Rovaniemi, Kemijarvi, and several other towns had been successfully extinguished, according to the Lapland Rescue Department.
The extreme heat has left the terrain in Lapland exceptionally dry. Coupled with multiple thunderstorm fronts that have swept through the region, the conditions have fueled widespread fire risks, Koti-Lappi noted.
Since mid-July, much of Finnish Lapland -- located within the Arctic Circle -- has been gripped by an unusual heatwave. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has issued two national heatwave warnings since July 10, noting that the hottest conditions are expected in Lapland, where temperatures could surpass 30 degrees Celsius.
The FMI has issued orange-level heat warnings for parts of Lapland, alongside wildfire alerts due to the dry conditions and ongoing thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has warned that prolonged heatwaves pose health risks, particularly for the elderly and people with chronic conditions. The public is urged to care for themselves, look after vulnerable individuals, and seek medical assistance promptly if needed.