Fourteen-Year-Old’s Actions Prevented Greater Damage

Juho Karkiainen’s response to observing smoke and his courage to make an emergency call enabled the containment of a wildfire at an early stage. Thanks to Juho, the emergency response center was able to issue a rapid alert and relay crucial additional information to the rescue services.

An exceptional heatwave, drought, and thunderstorms have caused wildfires throughout Northern Finland and Lapland during the summer. With long distances and often difficult terrain, the importance of early emergency calls and correct initial actions is emphasized. A good example of this occurred during the last week of July, when fourteen-year-old Juho Karkiainen spotted a wildfire in Ylitornio. Juho’s exemplary actions helped prevent more extensive property damage.

− My friend and I were riding mopeds when we noticed smoke rising from the forest after a thunderstorm. We drove to the site to investigate the source of the smoke and saw that the forest was on fire. I called the emergency response center and answered their questions.

Answer calls from an unknown number after calling 112

Juho and his friend acted in an exemplary manner. Smoke rising from the forest after a thunderstorm should be suspected as a wildfire, and since the report came directly from the scene, the emergency response center was able to forward the task to rescue services with precise location data and valuable additional information about the fire’s extent.

− It was the first time I ever called the emergency center, and I was a bit nervous. But the call went well. The emergency center asked if it was safe to attempt extinguishing the fire, but that was no longer possible. We observed the fire’s development from a safe distance, and I answered the operator’s questions.

The rescue services called Juho after receiving the alert. Wildfires can spread quickly in the terrain, and it’s valuable to receive updates on the progress of the situation, especially if it takes time to reach the site. Juho acted commendably by staying at the scene and answering a call from an unknown number. He remained there until he could guide the rescuers to the location.

In gusty winds, the fire could have quickly grown large, but thanks to the swift emergency call, it was limited to an area of about one thousand square meters. The arriving rescue personnel found clear signs of a lightning strike on one tree and showed it to Juho.

− It feels like this was the right way to act, Juho humbly responds when asked about the reason behind his exemplary actions.