Fire at Šepetos peat bog in Lithuania fully extinguished

A large fire at the Šepetos peat bog in Lithuania’s Kupiškis district has been fully extinguished, authorities announced early Wednesday, according to a report by public broadcaster LRT.

The Fire Protection and Rescue Department declared the fire extinguished at 6:11 AM, following two days of firefighting efforts. The blaze was first reported on Monday at 1:23 PM, with smoke visible near Bukėnai village. Upon arrival, crews confirmed the fire had spread across roughly 15 hectares of the 50-hectare peat bog.

Residents within a 15-kilometre radius received emergency alerts warning of potential air pollution, advising them to stay indoors and close windows. The Environmental Protection Agency was also notified.

On Tuesday, Kupiškis district declared a state of emergency due to shifting winds risking smoke spread. Firefighters and peat workers remained on-site overnight, constructing water barriers to contain the blaze. The fire was localized by 9:32 PM Tuesday, though crews continued suppression work until full extinguishment.