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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Vulnerable residents flown out of St. Mary’s as major tundra fire closes in
The City of St. Mary’s and its two tribes, the Yupiit of Andreakfsiy and the Algaaciq Tribe, held a community meeting on June 9. There, resident Geraldine Beans said that community leaders chose an optional evacuation for elders and people who are considered vulnerable. Other residents will have to wait. The fire is the largest in the history of the Lower Yukon valley. It’s been burning for a week and a half, since May 31, and has grown to about 50,000 acres.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Borough climate change planning effort gears up
A survey is out and an open house is planned on May 14 for the Fairbanks North Star Borough's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. A public survey is out, and an open house is planned for 4 p.m. May 14 at J.P. Jones Community Center in South Fairbanks.
Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Russia's 2021 Wildfires Now Largest in Its Recorded History
The new record beats the previous record set in 2012 and comes with weeks left to go in a devastating wildfire season.
Russia
The Moscow Times

US communities say dire predictions in UN climate report already unfolding
For many U.S. communities, the bleak predictions laid out in a new United Nations climate change report are more a reflection of the present and not just what’s to come.
United States
The Hill

B.C. Wildfires 2021: Hundreds of properties on evacuation order or alert as wildfire between Oliver and Osoyoos spreads
As of Tuesday, there were 299 wildfires burning in B.C., with 40 evacuation orders affecting approximately 5,724 people (2,862 properties), in addition to 69 evacuation alerts impacting approximately 32,076 people (16,038 properties).
Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Alaska research on wildfire smoke's impact on health paints clearer picture
Micah Hahn, an assistant professor of environmental health at the University of Alaska Anchorage, says while it might seem obvious that wildfire smoke causes health impacts, there had actually never been a nuanced, scientific look at those impacts. The biggest impact was for asthma-related emergency department visits. This was really across the board and across age groups and in geographic areas.
Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

As climate change increases Alaska’s wildfire risk, power companies say California-style blackouts could arrive in Alaska
The state’s electric companies are seeking a shield for liability from some wildfires started by broken power lines.
Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Study finds wildfire caused massive bird die-off
There was a strong correlation between the observations of dead birds and wildfires and the toxic gases they produced, but not with the early winter storms.
Colorado, United States
High Country Kids

Alaska could see more dangerous thunderstorms as Arctic sea ice melts and evaporation increases
Researchers predict a tripling of thunderstorms by the end of the century, which could lead to heavier rainfall and flash flooding, landslides and more lightning-sparked wildfires.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Are you waiting for the snow? Then the meteorologist has bad news
It doesn't look like Tromsø will get snow for a while.
Tromsø, Troms, Norway

The neverending wildfire season in Colorado 2020
Meteorologist Alex O'Brien dives into what has led to an extended fire season this year.
Colorado, United States
KOAA

On land, Australia's rising heat is 'apocalyptic'; in the ocean, it's even worse
BRUNY ISLAND, TASMANIA (WASHINGTON POST) - Even before the ocean caught fever and reached temperatures no one had ever seen, Australia's ancient giant kelp was cooked.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Australia
The Straits Times

Monitoring water quality after wildfires
The first storm of the season not only tamped down the fire, it also began the process of flushing an unknown mixture of metals, toxic organic compounds, and other chemicals from the air, ash, and debris into the region’s creeks and rivers.
Paradise, California, United States
Chemical & Engineering News

Koalas ‘Functionally Extinct’ After Australia Bushfires Destroy 80% of Their Habitat
As Australia experiences record-breaking drought and bushfires, koala populations have dwindled along with their habitat, leaving them “functionally extinct.”
New South Wales and Queensland, Australia
Forbes

Wildfire smoke drifts back into Anchorage area
The intensity of the smoke this week will be “hit or miss” depending on winds and fire behavior.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

As crews fight destructive Susitna Valley wildfire, evacuees prepare for recovery
A fire management official said more concrete information about the structures damaged by the fire will be available after emergency managers go in to survey the area on Tuesday.
Willow, Alaska, United States

UAF project seeks to provide air quality data for rural, remote Alaska areas
A graduate student with the University of Alaska Fairbanks is installing air-quality sensors in rural and remote areas around the state to monitor wildfire smoke and other types of air pollution.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Forced from Paradise: Leaving home after one of America’s deadliest wildfires
One of America’s deadliest wildfires destroyed Paradise. Now, residents accept they may never go home.
Paradise, California, United States
Washington Post

Он гарсаар 89 удаагийн ой, хээрийн түймэр гараад байна
Улсын хэмжээнд 2019 оны 07 дугаар сарын 16-ны байдлаар нийслэл Улаанбаатар хот, Булган, Баян-Өлгий, Дорнод, Дорноговь, Дархан-Уул, Сэлэнгэ, Сүхбаатар, Төв, Увс, Хөвсгөл, Хэнтий аймгийн 43 суманд нийт 89 удаагийн ой, хээрийн гал түймэр гарч урьдчилсан байдлаар 49593.8 га ой, 250839.2 га хээрийн талбай, нийт 300433 га талбай түймэрт өртөж, 13 байшин, гурван гэр шатсан. Дээрх … 43 soums of Ulaanbaatar, Bulgan, Bayan-Ulgii, Dornod, Dornogovi, Darkhan-Uul, Selenge, Sukhbaatar, Tuv, Uvs, Khuvsgul and Khentii aimags.
Mongolia
News.MN - Мэдээллийн эх сурвалж

NTSB: Smoke limited visibility in area of Kenai Peninsula plane crash that killed 3
An Anchorage couple and a Virginia woman died in the crash above Tern Lake. Another woman survived.
Seward, Alaska, United States

Swan Lake Fire spreads smoky haze to much of Southcentral
The state Division of Air Quality is warning of the smoke's potential health effects, with advisories in effect until Friday evening, pending any extensions.
Sterling, Alaska, United States

Warm, windy weather stokes Kenai Peninsula wildfire, leading to traffic delays and campground closures
The latest update put the Swan Lake fire’s size at 23,530 acres.
Ridgeway, Alaska, United States

Alberta wildfires linked to climate change, scientist says
The Fort McMurray fire and record-breaking wildfire season in B.C. in 2017 have been connected to climate change in two separate research papers published by scientists with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
CBC

Huerfano County prepares for potentially major flooding
Huerfano County says it's preparing for the worst when it comes to this year's flood season and it wants residents to be prepared.
Walsenburg, Colorado, United States
KOAA.com

Inuvik infrastructure may not be ready for climate change
The Arctic is expected to get warmer and wetter by the end of this century and new research says that could mean trouble for infrastructure in Inuvik.
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

PG&E, utility tied to wildfires, will file for bankruptcy
The company, California's largest utility, is facing at least $7 billion in claims from the deadly Camp Fire.
Sacramento, California, United States
CNN

Yukon's fire season was one of most complex and challenging in years
The director of Yukon Wildland Fire Management says firefighters had quite a summer, as conditions seem to be changing in the territory.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Climate Change Is Fueling Wildfires Nationwide
Global warming has already resulted in more forest fires out West, according to the latest National Climate Assessment. The future could see more of the country burn.
Western United States
New York Times

72 million to three counties worst afffected by summer wildfires - Radio Sweden
Three hundred large forest fires scorching 21,000 hectares of land but this summer's intense heatwave triggered fewer fires than expected, said a report ...
Gävleborgs län, Sweden
Radio Sweden

How smoky skies from wildfires is affecting mental health
Extreme smoke seems to be a new feature of summers in British Columbia with back-to-back years of heavy wildfires in the province and, for some, the overcast skies are taking a toll on mental health.
British Columbia, Canada

Wildfire smoke blanketing much of B.C. causing health concerns, traffic warnings
The smoke has pushed pollution in Calgary and other cities to dangerous levels, and cast an unsettling, spooky haze over almost every part of B.C.
British Columbia, Canada
The Globe and Mail

N.W.T. had lower than average wildfire season this year, says government | CBC News
The Northwest Territories experienced a lower than average fire season this year. Fire crews and resources from the territory helped respond to wildfires in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and Ontario.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Photos: How climate change is transforming Canada
From floods to fires, drought to coastal erosion, climate change is already having an impact on Canada's communities, landscapes and wildlife
Canada
Canadian Geographic

Kenow Wildfire 2017
Alberta consistently sees an average of 1400 wildfires each year however, the increased economic costs due to firefighting, equipment, damaged properties, evacuations, insurance, remote housing and food can be a challenge.
Waterton Lakes, Alberta, Canada
Jason Giacchetta, David Oswald, Mike Brook

Once-lush McHugh Creek trails were transformed by July's wildfire
Chugach State Park hikers survey the damage from hot days in July when the rainforest burned.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Fire hastens permafrost collapse in Arctic Alaska, study finds
While climate change is the primary driver of permafrost degradation in Arctic Alaska, a new analysis of 70 years of data reveals that tundra fires are accelerating that decline, contributing disproportionately to a phenomenon known as "thermokarst," the abrupt collapse of ice-rich permafrost as a result of thawing.
Alaska, United States
Phys.org

Tundra fire slows, but still aiming at Southwest Alaska villages
By Saturday, the East Fork fire had grown to just over 108,000 acres but triggered no mandatory evacuations.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Alaska never saw large tundra fires like the East Fork Fire until climate change provided more fuel
The East Fork Fire in Western Alaska is the state's largest at the moment, estimated at more than 150,000 acres Thursday, and it's burning in a region where, just a couple decades ago, large fires would not have been expected.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States

Russian planes seed clouds as raging wildfires near Siberian power plant
Russian planes seeded clouds to bring down rain on huge wildfires raging in the Siberian region of Yakutia that in one place spread dangerously close to a hydroelectric power plant, authorities said on Monday.
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
ArcticToday

Alaska fire agencies offer wildfire-smoke reports online
Alaskans have shown interest in online smoke and air-quality advisories after a surge of lightning-caused fires across the Interior.

Trudeau convenes emergency crisis team as thousands prepare to flee wildfires in N.W.T.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is convening a high-level emergency meeting to discuss the wildfire situation in the Northwest Territories. "This is an example of how bad the forest fires have become now in our country where we're seeing unprecedented forest fires ... my thoughts are with the community."
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

By road and by air, Yellowknifers head home after 3-week evacuation
A three-week evacuation odyssey ended for many Yellowknifers Wednesday, as people began to return home. The barricades outside of the city opened at 11 a.m., and cars began streaming in.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Drones, AI, goats: The new playbook to curb wildfires
Officials there are scrutinizing the limits of traditional firefighting tactics. In Europe, the fastest-warming continent due to climate change, firefighters are exploring new ways to battle monster blazes. Emergency and disaster management crews are deploying drones that can detect fires earlier and are even reviving traditional practices such as using sheep and goats to graze the grass.
Greece

Why is Canada building a pipeline through a province on fire?
Drivers on the Coquihalla could feel the heat in their cars as they rushed to clear the highway before the July Mountain fire overtook it. Somewhere in the ashes is the route for the Trans Mountain pipeline, a project that would fuel the climate change that’s making these fires worse.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Wilderness Committee

Alaska firefighters experiment with targeting blazes to save carbon
A pilot program in Alaska lets firefighters tackle fires deep in the wilderness that burn carbon and speed climate change and don’t just threaten homes and lives.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Washington Post

In Hawaii, coral is the foundation of life. What happened to it after the Lahaina wildfire?
A deadly wildfire burned more than 2,000 buildings in the Hawaiian town of Lahaina on Maui in August and left behind piles of toxic debris.
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
AP News

Yellowknife wildfire flares up in areas but is still being 'held,' officials say
As of Tuesday, the fire which prompted the evacuation of the city two weeks ago was still 15 kilometres west of Yellowknife. Fire officials declared the fire as "being held" on Monday. According to N.W.T. Fire information officer, it's still unsafe to bring back the bulk of the residents to Yellowknife.

Climate-fuelled wildfires testing the limits of Canada's aging water bombers
A summer of devastating wildfires that burned huge swaths of the N.W.T. and forced countless communities across the country to evacuate has some experts questioning whether Canada is equipped for hotter, more intense fire seasons.
Canada

Vast wildfires in Russia's Yakutia have already set an emissions record
MOSCOW — Summer wildfires have already produced a record amount of carbon emissions in Russia’s Siberian region of Yakutia, with still more weeks of the fire season to come, according to the European Union’s Copernicus satellite monitoring unit. Environmentalists fear the fires, fuelled by hot weather, may thaw Siberian permafrost and peatlands, releasing even more
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
ArcticToday

2021 'amazing' record low year for fires in Yellowknife
Heading into the end of 2021, Yellowknife’s deputy fire chief is celebrating a record low number, three, of structure fires in the city this year.

Alaska’s weird fire season ain’t over yet
Waking to the smell of a wet ashtray (which, as a Child of the Seventies, I can still remember), I knew the wind had shifted. Wildfire smoke hung in the neighborhood.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Prey driven away by wildfire, YKDFN Chief says wolves are turning to Yellowknife for food
Fred Sangris said there isn't a big population of wolves in the area of Yellowknife, Ndilǫ and Dettah — but sightings are happening more often because they're hungry and venturing near communities in search of food.

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