Wildfires in Russia, Canada and Spain caused record emissions in the northern hemisphere, detected in early spring, as reported by the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS).
large forest fires
The fires recorded in Spain, Canada and Russia are of an extraordinary nature at this time of year, given the monitoring of the intensity of the fires and their emissions into the atmosphere, according to CAMS.
Ahead of summer, reports from the European service indicate that forest fires are starting earlier than in previous years.
Increase in emissions in Spain
As a result of these forest fires, Spain registered “the highest levels of emissions ever in a month of March” and they were “at the level of those derived from the forest fires of 2012”.
“it’s not usual” for fires of these proportions to be generated at such an early time of year, according to CAMS.
Data provided by Copernicus revealed the level of severity of fire risks due to the high temperatures and drought conditions that affected the European continent during the past winter.
In addition, Central America has experienced seasonal fires.”slightly above average”, which caused the “displacement of some smoke plumes towards North America and the North Atlantic” between March and May.
In May, two areas in the Northern Hemisphere experienced some major wildfires. The Eurasia fire broke out on May 23 and caused an estimated $100 million in damage. The Western Canada fire broke out on May 26 and was responsible for over $30 million in damage.
Fires in Eurasia affected Kazakhstan, Mongolia and some areas bordering Russia, such as Kurgan, Tyumen, Omsk and Novosibirsk.
Fires with record high intensity emissions
In some areas of this region, the fires were of “high intensity” and their emissions for the month were comparable to those of May in recent years.
While in Canada, daily total fire radiative power (FRP) data showed “significant activity” from wildfires in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories since early May, with increased activity further east. , in Ontario and Nova Scotia at the end of the month.
Consequently, from these wildfires, “significant emissions” were generated according to the CAMS tracking and with a “persistent long radius” movement across North America and the Atlantic Ocean, and reached Scandinavia and the Arctic Ocean. .
Record emissions in Canada
Canada had one of the “highest levels” of record emissions in the month of May, breaking total records in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nova Scotia.
Saskatchewan had a month of exceptionally high emissions, with a staggering 23 megatons, far surpassing the previous record of two megatons set in May.
Mark Parrington, Senior Scientist at CAMS, warned that “As summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, variables related to increased wildfire risk are expected to worsen.”.
Therefore, by monitoring these variables and the evolution of forest fires, “It is crucial to understand the underlying causes and impact on the atmosphereto take the appropriate measures”, according to the scientist.
with information from efeverde