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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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Observations

Warning about particulate pollution — vulnerable people should protect their health
Reykjavík’s Health Inspection warns of high particulate matter near major roads in Reykjavík and Kópavogur during calm, dry weather, advising children, older adults, and people with respiratory illness to avoid busy roads and for the public to use alternatives to private cars.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
Morgunblaðið (mbl.is)

Windblown volcanic ash headed our way, again
Strong northwest winds are resuspending ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption, prompting an NWS Special Weather Statement for southern Kodiak Island and an aviation advisory up to 6,000 feet. Communities including Karluk, Akhiok, and Larsen Bay may see haze and trace ash; sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activity until winds ease Saturday.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Norton Sound issues alert as dust troubles Nome air quality
Norton Sound Health Corporation issued an air quality alert for Nome after PM10 levels exceeded 301 (hazardous) on Oct. 23. Officials cite recent freeze–thaw cycles and dry conditions for the unusual late-October dust; residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and use N95 masks.
Nome, Alaska, United States
KNOM Radio Mission

Central Washington fires create hazy, smoky conditions for Spokane
Smoke from Central Washington wildfires pushed into Spokane on Thursday, raising air quality to unhealthy for sensitive groups and likely lingering into Friday. Forecasters cited the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires and gusty winds as primary drivers, with conditions expected to ease slightly Friday.
Wilbur, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Wildfires in E. C. Manning Provincial Park
In September 2025, multiple wildfires were observed near E.C. Manning Provincial Park, BC, highlighting the increasing prevalence and intensity of wildfires in the region.
E.C. Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia

Special air quality statement continues for much of B.C.
Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for much of British Columbia as wildfire smoke from B.C., Yukon and the Northwest Territories spreads over the next 24–48 hours. Officials warn of health impacts, especially for vulnerable groups, and advise reducing outdoor exertion and keeping indoor spaces cool and sealed.
Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

B.C. hits Canadian September heat record again as smoke warnings persist
British Columbia set a new national September heat record with 40.8 C in Cache Creek, as wildfire smoke triggers widespread air-quality alerts. Multiple heat warnings remain in effect across the province.
Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Major B.C. routes including Coquihalla Highway closed due to wildfires
Wildfires forced closures of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt and Highway 20 east of Bella Coola in B.C., as the Mine Creek fire grew rapidly and jumped Highway 5. Evacuation orders and alerts were issued, and air quality degraded across the province.
Coquihalla Highway corridor (Hope–Merritt), British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Bad air quality prompts advisory from chief public health officer
Wildfire smoke drove air quality in Yellowknife to high-risk levels, prompting Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola to issue an advisory urging residents to limit outdoor activity and take health precautions. The advisory highlights vulnerable groups and directs people to the Air Quality Health Index for up-to-date information.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Four wildfires are currently active in Yakutia
Firefighters extinguished one 17 ha wildfire in Vilyuysky District over the past day, while aerial monitoring detected another 1 ha fire in Olekminsky District; four fires remain active across three districts covering 711 ha.
Sakha Republic, Russia
Yakutia.Info

Alaska Airlines cancels flights to Nome, Kotzebue due to volcanic ash
The plume is expected to persist in the region for at least 18 hours, according to an advisory issued Tuesday morning.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka Volcano, Russia
Anchorage Daily News

Volcanic Ash Emission Halts Air Service Between Kamchatka and Chukotka
An eruption of ash from the Klyuchevskoy volcano prompted a red aviation alert and suspended flights between Kamchatka and Chukotka on August 11, 2025.
Kamchatka Krai and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Anadyr Online

Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting over Finland
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to drift over Finland by Saturday evening, brightening sunsets but not affecting air quality, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle

Wesley Ridge wildfire grows, expected to bring smoke throughout the summer
The Wesley Ridge wildfire near Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island has expanded to nearly 590 hectares, and smoke is expected to linger across the region through the summer.
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Prairie smoke chokes Kivalliq
Wildfire smoke drifting east from Saskatchewan and Manitoba prompted air quality advisories across much of the Kivalliq Region but is expected to clear by Thursday.
Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Krasheninnikov Volcano Erupts for First Time in 600 Years
Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano on Kamchatka erupted on August 3, 2025 for the first time in six centuries, following major seismic activity, sending ash up to six kilometers into the sky.
Kamchatka Peninsula, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Vísir

Multiple wildfires in the Ranua and Posio areas in Lapland – also in Tervola, Sodankylä and Rovaniemi
On August 2, 2025 multiple wildfires broke out in Lapland’s Ranua and Posio areas, with additional fires reported in Tervola, Sodankylä, Rovaniemi and Kolar. The largest wildfire, spanning 500 × 500 m, burned near Alavaarantie in Ranua by late afternoon.
Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Air quality advisories as heavy smoke blankets Northwest Territories
Dense wildfire smoke has prompted air quality advisories across several Northwest Territories communities, leading to health warnings and the opening of clean-air shelters in Yellowknife and Fort Providence.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Multiple wildfires blaze across Lapland, helicopters assist in firefighting efforts
Multiple wildfires across Finnish Lapland this week prompted dozens of rescue responses, with Border Guard and Defence Forces helicopters assisting amid dry conditions and an open fire ban.
Yle News

Forest fire area in Yakutia increases to 1,500 ha
The total area of active forest fires in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) grew from 265 ha to 1,462.5 ha on July 22, with 10 fires being fought by 306 personnel and 14 units of equipment.
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia
Yakutia.Info

Tyva Declares State of Emergency Over Growing Wildfires
Authorities in Russia’s Tyva Republic declared a state of emergency after eight wildfires grew to over 324 hectares, banning public entry to forests.
Tyva Republic, Russia
The Moscow Times

Hot weather over weekend fuels wildfires in Manitoba
Warm, dry weekend conditions in Manitoba increased wildfire behaviour across nearly all active blazes, prompting evacuations, air quality warnings and challenges for aerial suppression.
Manitoba, Canada
CTV News

Many have visited health care due to volcanic smog
Many residents sought medical attention for respiratory discomfort and eye irritation caused by volcanic smog and air pollution lingering over Reykjavík and nearby areas.
Reykjavík, Capital Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Smoke 'thick as pea soup': Lake Spokane fire grows to more than 2,000 acres
A wildfire near Lake Spokane in southern Stevens County grew to over 2,000 acres by Sunday, prompting evacuations as thick smoke blanketed the region.
Stevens County, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

Intense Periods for Firefighting Flights: 'Like a Wall of Lightning'
Volunteer firefighting flights in Norrbotten faced their most hectic period ever when a Sunday thunderstorm sparked multiple lightning-ignited wildfires, creating a “wall of lightning” that hindered access across Gällivare, Kiruna, Pajala and Porjus.
Norrbotten, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

Multiple forest fires in the county
Lightning strikes from passing thunderclouds have ignited forest fires in several inland municipalities in Norrbotten County, Sweden, prompting rescue services to work to extinguish them.
Norrbotten County, Sweden
Norrbottens-Kuriren

Icelandic authorities give hazard warnings as fissures spread lava and smoke
New fissures on the Reykjanes Peninsula have sent lava eastward and prompted fresh hazard warnings, with high sulfur dioxide levels and drifting volcanic fibers adding to safety concerns.
Reykjanes Peninsula, Southwest Region, Iceland
Eye on the Arctic

What's with the white stuff? Why the N.W.T. has so much tree fluff this summer | CBC News
The increase in tree "fluff" is likely a stress response from poplars, aspen and willows reacting to the dry conditions from the past few years, according to the N.W.T.'s department of Environment and Climate Change.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
CBC

Some evacuees heading home as forest fire on Eastern Shore slows
A forest fire near Musquodoboit Harbour on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore has stabilized after rainfall, allowing some evacuees to return home while others remain displaced as crews continue to monitor the 30-hectare blaze.
Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada
CBC News

Canadian blazes make for hazy days
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting into Southeast Alaska’s Chilkat Valley, prompting an air quality advisory for Haines and Skagway as hazy conditions persist.
Haines, Southeast Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Fires near Fairbanks trigger evacuation orders as lightning sparks more new blazes around Alaska
Other new fires were reported near the Eureka Roadhouse along the Glenn Highway and near the Denali Park community. Forty new fires were reported Thursday.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Canadian fine particulate plagues Reykjavík residents
Levels of fine particulate matter have risen in Reykjavík, likely due to smoke from Canadian wildfires, prompting health advisories for those with respiratory issues.
Reykjavík, Iceland
visir.is

Wildfires in the Prairies Having Impact on Air Quality in Several Provinces
Smoke from wildfires burning in the Canadian Prairies is degrading air quality in northeastern British Columbia, prompting Environment Canada to issue special air quality statements and advise residents to limit outdoor exposure.
Northeastern British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Air quality worsens in the eastern U.S. as Canadian wildfire smoke hangs over the Midwest
The fires have forced thousands of Canadians to flee their homes and sent smoke as far as Europe.
Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Where's all this smoke coming into Yellowknife from?
Smoke drifting into Yellowknife on May 29, 2025, mainly originated from wildfires in Alberta, with additional smoke forecast from northern British Columbia, according to FireSmoke Canada projections.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Wildfires Tear Across Russia's Far East
Authorities in Buryatia have declared a state of emergency as rapidly spreading wildfires, blamed on human activity, devastate the Zabaikalsky region and the Republic of Buryatia, producing heavy smoke and burning homes.
Buryatia, Siberia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Wildfires in Zabaikalsky Region Spread Rapidly Amid Strong Wind and Dry Weather
Strong winds and dry weather are fueling rapidly spreading wildfires across Russia’s Zabaikalsky region, with over 456,000 hectares burning and firefighters racing to protect populated areas.
Zabaikalsky region, Far East Russia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Tree pollen counts in Anchorage are the highest they’ve been in almost a decade
Anchorage is experiencing the highest tree pollen counts in nearly a decade, with counts reaching thousands of grains per cubic meter from birch, poplar, cottonwood, aspen, willow, and alder, triggering widespread allergy symptoms.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Wildfire in Fish Creek Community Forest
A wildfire erupted in Fish Creek Community Forest within Fort St. John, B.C., on May 1, 2025, fueled by warm, dry, and windy conditions amid severe drought, highlighting the increasing risk of human-caused wildfires in urban-adjacent forests due to climate change and industrial practices.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada

Fire at Yellowknife landfill likely caused by wrongly tossed electronics
A small fire broke out at the Yellowknife landfill on April 22, likely ignited by improperly disposed electronics, but was quickly extinguished by city staff and the Yellowknife Fire Division.

Iditarod 53: Mushers, dogs regroup in Tanana after 'sandstorm' flings silt near river
During Iditarod 53, mushers and their sled dogs battled high winds that whipped up a sandstorm near the Tanana River, forcing teams to pause and regroup. The unexpected conditions challenged visibility and navigation, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the race.
Tanana, Alaska, United States
KTUU

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