The global impact of forest fires is increasing. Fires are currently raging in Russia, Canada and the United States. Rescue workers fight the flames.
Frankfurt – There are increasing numbers of devastating forest fires all over the world, including Russia, Canada and the USA. Fires would also break out in places “where there was no fire at all before.”
Kolesov was unable to do his job on Tuesday (July 20, 2021) because the smoke in the Far Eastern Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in Siberia was too thick. Because with such impaired visibility it is a danger to fly an airplane. Kolesov is the chief pilot of the air observation post in the region. He spoke of the fact that new fires had appeared in the north of the region, “in places where there were no fires last year and where there hadn’t been any fire before.”
Forest fires in Siberia (Russia): “Villages threatened by toxic smoke”
The Sakha Republic in Siberia is known for its vulnerability to forest fires, but the flames are different this year, said Kolesov. Researchers have been warning of increased forest fires for years. These could also occur in unusual places. In addition, it is to be expected that they will become larger and more intense. ZDF today reported that “more than 60 villages in Siberia […] are currently threatened by toxic smoke.”
Residents of the US state of Alaska can also testify to the extent of the forest fires in Siberia. This is where the smoke from the Russian fires is currently spreading. But the USA itself is not spared from dangerous flames. The forest fires in the USA are coming more often, bigger and more intense because of climate change.
Forest fires threaten lives in the US and Canada
The smoke from the “bootleg” barrel fire in Oregon is currently spreading across the continent. On Wednesday (July 21st, 2021) one could perceive an “intense red sunrise”, the “smell of forest fires” and a “thick brown haze” in New York City. In addition, “the Bootleg Fire […] is so big and generates so much energy and extreme heat that it creates its own clouds and thunderstorms.” Forest fires on the US west coast caused massive air pollution in New York.
Instead of a major forest fire, British Columbia, a Canadian province, is currently fighting 300 forest fires. For this reason, the state of emergency was declared there from Wednesday. Fire brigade are about to fight the flames with depth charges and hoses. In addition, firebreaks served to contain the forest fires. Because of climate change, the next heat wave with forest fires is already rolling towards the USA and Canada.
Russia, Canada, USA: Experts agree that forest fires could have global consequences
Experts fear further fires around the world with global effects on the landscape, people and the climate. The smoke could darken surfaces and thereby accelerate global warming. The carbon released that was stored in trees for “thousands of years” could also have “knock-on effects,” said Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.
According to the WWF, forest fires are “a completely natural process in many regions of the world.” It is not a good sign, if the fires are too violent, occur in unusual places or at unusual times, or if they become more frequent. Also important to know: According to the WWF, only about “four percent of all forest fires” have a “natural cause”. All others are man-made, be it directly or indirectly. (jey)
