Surveillance of wildfires in Lapland. Photo: Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland
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Forest fire patrol flights in Finland were fewer this summer compared with 2024, according to the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI).
Between April and September, 334 flights were carried out, most between mid-July and early August. This marked a decline from 478 flights last year.
Authorities detected 78 fires during the patrols, a decrease from 140 the year before. Most flights, 301 in total, were conducted proactively, while 33 were requested by rescue services to verify smoke sightings.
Anna Mattila, senior inspector at the Northern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency, said flight activity varied across regions.
“Regional weather conditions were reflected in flight operations. In areas such as Southwest Finland, Häme and Satakunta, flight numbers were clearly below the long-term average,” Mattila said.
The highest number of flights took place in North Karelia, South Savo, Ostrobothnia and the Sea Lapland region. The lowest were in Southwest Finland, Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme and Northern Lapland.
The patrols are flown along 22 regular routes. They are launched when the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s forest fire index rises above four. The flights aim to detect wildfires, grass fires and peat production area fires early enough to prevent large-scale spread.
Patrol flights are usually carried out by local aviation clubs or aviation companies under AVI’s coordination. The system has been in place for decades and is considered an integral part of Finland’s wildfire prevention strategy.
From 2026, responsibility for forest fire patrol operations will shift from the Regional State Administrative Agency to the Ministry of the Interior as part of a state administration reform. Officials said the change will not affect service continuity, and patrol flights will continue as before.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
