Massive wildfires hit Russia and North America – MO*

The Northern Hemisphere has been devastated by large and intense wildfires since late spring, particularly in the boreal region of North America and Eurasia, including the Arctic Circle. Numerous fires are still burning in Canada, Alaska and eastern Russia.

Air quality

Those wildfires emit a lot of smoke and CO2. As of July 15, estimated carbon emissions from forest fires in Russia already exceeded the total emissions estimated for June and July in the previous two years.

Satellite measurements from the European Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS) show the highest values ​​for the highest concentration of particulate matter in smoke and on the ground – 15 micrograms per cubic meter – the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Eastern Mongolia, northeastern China and Japan are particularly affected. The plume moves towards the Arctic Ocean and the Arctic.

Canada

Wildfires have been burning in Canada’s western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta for weeks, with some more recent fires in neighboring regions, including Alaska.

Total carbon emissions for June and the first half of July were 11.1 megatons of CO2 for British Columbia and 13.2 megatons for Alberta. Smog will cross North America and the North Atlantic Ocean.