A young woman is facing charges after her attempt to dispose of toilet paper by burning it led to a forest fire in Västervik, Sweden. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the fire spread, burning an area the size of half a football field. The woman, who has a background in outdoor education, admitted her actions, citing a lack of forethought.
Young Woman's Forest Bathroom Break Sparks Wildfire: 'I Didn't Think It Through'
Young Woman's Forest Bathroom Break Sparks Wildfire: 'I Didn't Think It Through'
A bathroom break in the woods near Helgerum in Västervik municipality led to a forest fire. A young woman is now facing charges.
In July this year, two friends set up camp on an island after a canoe trip near Helgerum in Västervik municipality.
One of the friends, a young woman, relieved herself in the forest and then set the toilet paper on fire afterward.
However, that day had an 'extremely high fire risk,' according to Sveriges Radio, and the fire spread—first to a bush and then further.
The friends' attempts to extinguish the fire failed, and they alerted the rescue services. After the fire was extinguished, it was found that an area about the size of half a football field had burned. There was also a risk of a much larger forest fire, with both buildings and power lines nearby, according to the rescue service's statement.
The woman is now charged with public negligence.
The young woman, who stated in interrogation that she is trained in outdoor life and acted out of habit, has confessed.
'I didn't think it through,' she said in interrogation, according to Västerviks-tidningen.