Two forest fires broke out on Holmens land in northern Sweden on Friday 31 May. The burnt ground extends just over 700 hectares.
The value of the wood lost is relatively small as the land burnt was mostly clear-felled ground and young forest. The wood in the limited areas of mature forest that did burn can be harvested and put to use as biofuel. Other burnt land will be reforested in the normal way. According to the forestry certification system Holmen applies a given area has to be burnt each year.
The fires will have no effect on Holmens harvesting plans. It is estimated that the total cost will not be significant.
Holmen has adequate planning stocks of wood, which means that deliveries to the industry will not be affected by interruption to harvesting activities.
The cause of the fires has not yet been determined.