Burn to be wild

Are forest fires beneficial at all? Why are forests burned for nature conservation?

This Burn to be wild exhibition presents information on our own Northern coniferous forests and the use of fire in safeguarding their natural values. The exhibition is part of the Life2Taiga project.

Species and habitats revived by restoration burns

Our forest nature has become monocultural due to logging. Prescribed burning accelerates the restoration of forest biodiversity, returning it to a more natural state. It also promotes the return of species that depend on fire, which is also appreciated by many other species. Species are all dependent on one another. Establishing a fire continuum, i.e. setting a chain of fires close together and frequently enough, is vital to species that depend on fires.

A lack of biodiversity makes forest nature vulnerable to changes, such as climate change, insects and storms. Restoration burns enhance biodiversity, thus enabling forest nature to better respond to changes.

What does a prescribed burning accomplish?

A burn releases nutrients in the soil and provides growing space for deciduous trees, grasses and herbaceous plants. This transforms a forest previously lacking in biodiversity into one filled with a wide variety of species. Hole-nesters, such as woodpeckers, carve out their nesting holes, while creating excellent living conditions for other hole-nesters. The volume of decaying and charred trees is increased, thus making the area an ideal habitat for insects. The insects, in turn, are a source of food for birds and many mammals.

Fire – a good servant when handled properly

Done properly, setting a fire is a safe procedure. However, fire is also something to be feared. In addition to safety, there is also concern for the other inhabitants of the forest when the fires start burning.

The exhibition provides food for thought – what aspects of prescribed burning make you think or please you? Could it be that forests BURN TO BE WILD and diverse again?

Prescribed burning for ecological forest restoration

Life2Taiga is a nature conservation project funded by the European Commission’s LIFE program. The project, which runs from 2022 to 2028, involves collaboration among 17 County Administrative Boards in Sweden, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, and Finnish Metsähallitus. The coordination hub for the project is the County Administrative Board of Västmanland, and it is partially financed by the EU’s LIFE program

During the project period, the participating parties will carry out 215 controlled conservation burns covering over 3,400 hectares.

Additionally, on an additional 2,800 hectares, other conservation methods will be employed to achieve outcomes similar to those resulting from natural fires. These forest areas are located within 165 Natura 2000 sites across Sweden and Finland.

Burn to be wild exhibition at Haltia – The Finnish Nature Centre until 6.4.2026 – welcome!