In Estonia, discussions surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs) began gaining public attention notably in the early 1990s, coinciding with the country's independence and a rising curiosity in paranormal phenomena. However, reports of unexplained phenomena had already appeared in the Estonian press during the Soviet era, often approached with caution and skepticism. A peculiar incident in the mid-1980s in Rapla sees local firefighters mobilized throughout the region in vain pursuit of a fire that ultimately did not exist, but was strongly reported by numerous witnesses.

In January 1985, the publication Kommunismiehitaja detailed how nearly the entire Rapla district observed what they believed to be a substantial blaze. Oddly enough, all eyewitnesses thought the fire must have been nearby, while later investigations revealed that the two extreme points from which the phenomenon was observed were separated by a staggering 60 kilometers. The situation created widespread alarm amongst motorists traveling towards Tartu, who overwhelmingly stopped at the Rapla fire department to inquire about the perceived danger. The firefighters had little to offer by way of explanation, replying simply, "Who knows..."

This unusual event reflects a broader trend in the heightened awareness and speculation regarding UFOs in Estonia, particularly surrounding the fall of the Soviet Union. The incident in Rapla serves as an example of how folklore and contemporary societal fears intermingled, triggering community reactions to unexplained phenomena that have since been part of Estonia's cultural narrative regarding the paranormal.