Wildfire at Jyväskylä Cemetery Caused by Grave Candle
A small wildfire broke out at Tikkakoski Cemetery in Jyväskylä in early June, originating from a grave candle, according to the Jyväskylä Parish. The fire, which covered a few square meters, did not spread extensively and likely extinguished on its own. A parish employee later conducted post-extinguishing operations at the site to ensure safety (Ilta-Sanomat; Yle).
Tuija Pajunen, head of the parish’s funeral services, warned that the fire could have spread significantly due to dry conditions, potentially covering several hectares. "It has been so dry that the fire could have covered several hectares," she said (Yle). The Tikkakoski Cemetery is forested, increasing the risk of rapid fire spread.
Summer Ban on Grave Candles
The Jyväskylä Parish, along with other parishes such as Kirkkonummi and the Helsinki Orthodox Parish, has banned burning candles at graves during the summer due to fire risks. Finnish law also prohibits open fires during wildfire warnings (Yle).
Pajunen noted that many people may underestimate the danger, as grave candles are often placed in protective casings. "Bringing a candle to a grave is important to many, and especially in strong emotional states, the risks may be forgotten," she explained (Yle). She advised bringing flowers instead during the summer, as candles are less visible on bright evenings and pose a greater fire hazard.
While cemetery fires are uncommon in Jyväskylä during summer, rescue services occasionally extinguish fires at collective memorials in winter, often caused by multiple candles (Yle). The parish urges visitors to follow safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.