Merijärvi

Firefighters dealt with about 20 blazes on Sunday alone, as dry conditions and strong winds heighten risks of forest and brush fires getting out of control.

A high of nearly 27 degrees Celsius in Ylivieska on the west coast was said to be unusual at this time of year.

October temperature records were broken on Sunday afternoon, with the mercury surpassing 20°C in many places, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.