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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)

Slippery-ice chaos creates queues at the Skellefteå emergency department: “Casting non‑stop”
SMHI warned of icy conditions in northern Sweden, and Skellefteå’s ER saw a surge of patients injured in falls. Staff report “casting non‑stop,” with most injuries linked to extremely slippery streets and sidewalks.
Skellefteå, Västerbotten County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Bear attacks man in public toilet in Japan
Incident north of Tokyo comes after a record 13 deaths from bear attacks in Japan since the start of April
Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

Rabid fox caught in trap
Another fox on Svalbard has tested positive for rabies after being caught in a trap, according to Svalbardposten.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

School field trip in Bella Coola turns into fight for survival as grizzly injures students, teacher
A grizzly bear charged a Grade 4–5 class from Acwsalcta School near the Bella Coola River, seriously injuring three students and a teacher; others sustained minor injuries. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to avoid nearby forested areas and travel only by vehicle.
Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Hurricane Melissa winds hit record-breaking 252 mph, data confirms
Researchers recorded a record-breaking wind gust as Hurricane Melissa lashed the Caribbean in late October.
Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica

H5N5 Avian influenza confirmed in Grays Harbor County resident
A Grays Harbor resident who was hospitalized with influenza symptoms in early November has been confirmed to have influenza A H5, a type of avian influenza. Additional testing shows the virus to be H5N5, an avian influenza virus that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DOH currently consider the risk to the public from avian influenza to be low.
Aberdeen, Washington, United States
Washington State Department of Health

Drinking water advisory for Hay River, Enterprise, Kakisa
Northwest Territories officials issued a drinking water advisory for Hay River, Enterprise, Kátł’odeeche First Nation and Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation (Kakisa) after elevated trihalomethanes were detected. No illnesses are reported; residents are advised to use filtration, let water sit uncovered, or boil for infant formula, while mitigation and monitoring continue.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada
CKLB Radio

One man is dead, another missing after falling through thin ice near Kotzebue
Two men fell through thin ice near Kotzebue, resulting in one death and one missing person, prompting warnings from local authorities about unsafe ice conditions.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
KOTZ

Two bears encountered outside home; one attacks and injures man in Akita City
A 65-year-old man was injured after being attacked by one of two bears he encountered outside his home in Akita City’s Iijima area early on November 3. Police say the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. within the residence’s premises.
Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan
TBS NEWS DIG

Åza from Falun infected with cowpox by her cat: “Thought it was a pimple”
A woman in Falun, Dalarna, became infected with cowpox after her cat fell ill and was euthanized—reportedly the first known case in Dalarna. She was on sick leave for a month and is sharing her story to warn others about this rare zoonotic infection.
Falun, Dalarna, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

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

Maine issues new do-not-eat advisory as wildlife tests positive for PFAS in Waldo County
Maine has issued a do-not-eat advisory for white-tailed deer and wild turkeys in parts of Knox, Thorndike and Unity after tests found elevated PFAS in muscle tissue. The advisory expands earlier restrictions tied to contamination from sludge-applied farm fields.
Waldo County, Maine, United States
The Portland Press Herald

Blue-green algae health alert issued in Loch Moy near Inverness
Authorities have detected blue-green algae in Loch Moy, south of Inverness, and are urging the public and pet owners to avoid contact with the water. Warning signs are being posted as agencies investigate potential health risks.
Loch Moy, Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

New York confirms state’s first locally acquired case of chikungunya virus
Chikungunya is found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, according to the state health department. Its symptoms include fever and joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rashes. It’s the first case in the U.S. in six years.
Smithtown, New York, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Fox tests positive for rabies in Arviat
A fox euthanized after abnormal behaviour in Arviat, Nunavut, has tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to warn residents to report unusual animal behaviour and seek immediate care after bites or scratches.
Arviat, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Remnants of Typhoon Halong bring widespread damage to Western Alaska
A powerful, ongoing storm in Western Alaska has flooded communities, destroyed homes and left some residents injured by flying debris. Officials say rescue efforts are underway after floodwaters in multiple communities swept homes off their foundations. The remnants of Typhoon Halong tracked farther east than expected, slamming into the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta coast early on Sunday morning. Officials said Sunday afternoon that the hardest hit communities appeared to be Kipnuk, Kwigillingok and Napakiak.
Kwigillingok, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Evan Erickson, Casey Grove, Desiree Hagen, Alena Naiden, Ben Townsend, Samantha Watson

2 hikers injured in bear attack on popular trail near Seward
Two hikers were injured after fighting off a brown bear about a quarter-mile up the Exit Glacier trail near Seward. The National Park Service closed the trail while troopers and biologists assess the area.
Seward, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

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

Researcher from Italy missing after being swept into hole on Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier
The man’s travel companions lost sight of him after he fell into a stream and was swept into a vertical opening in the ice, Alaska State Troopers said.
Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska
Anchorage Daily News

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

State issues alert for toxic shellfish found in Kachemak Bay
Alaska health officials issued an alert after wild shellfish from Kachemak Bay’s inner bay tested above regulatory limits for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Residents are warned not to harvest or eat untested wild shellfish; monitoring and test results are being posted by the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer 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

Woman mauled by bear near her Kenai Peninsula home
A 36-year-old woman was seriously injured in a suspected brown bear attack near her home on Chinook Drive in Kenai early Tuesday. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to stay vigilant and secure attractants.
Kenai, Alaska, United States

Rock fell again onto the road where a fatal accident occurred
A rockfall struck Suðurlandsvegur at Holtsnúp under Eyjafjöll on August 17 at the same spot where a fatal accident occurred in March, prompting calls for urgent safety upgrades on this stretch of the South Coast Road.
Holtsnúp, Southern Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Century’s Heat Record Broken
A temperature of 29.8 °C was recorded at Egilsstaðir Airport on August 16, 2025, marking the highest August temperature measured in Iceland this century.
Egilsstaðir, Eastern Region, Iceland
Vísir

Pakistan’s monsoon flooding death toll rises to 220 as forecasters warn of more rain to come
Pakistan has experienced higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall, likely linked to climate change, which has triggered floods and mudslides. Hundreds of rescue workers were still searching for survivors in Buner.
Muzaffarābād, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Smoke advisory issued for Iqaluit, Kinngait and Kimmirut
Environment Canada has issued an air quality advisory for Iqaluit, Kinngait and Kimmirut due to smoke from wildfires in the Prairies, reducing visibility; the smoke is expected to clear Wednesday night.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
Nunatsiaq News

Here it was Warmest: Very Special
Five locations in Finnmark recorded temperatures above 30 °C on Saturday, an unusually high heat for the region.
Tana, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

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

Warning about dead pigeons in Vestmannaeyjar
The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority warns of an unusually high number of dead pigeons in Vestmannaeyjar and urges the public to avoid handling sick or dead birds without proper precautions.
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Morgunblaðið

Finland marks 19th straight day of 30-degree temperatures on Wednesday
Finland recorded its 19th straight day of 30 °C temperatures, breaking the previous record of 13 days set in 1972, as the ongoing heatwave continues across the country.
Parikkala, South Karelia, Finland
Yle News

Tick found on visitor after trip to Hornøya – High occurrence of a particular species
A 13-year-old boy discovered a tick on his leg after visiting Hornøya near Vardø, highlighting an unexpectedly high occurrence of ticks on the island.
Vardø, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

105-year-old high temperature record broken in B.C. community
Five communities in British Columbia’s Interior, including Prince George, recorded their hottest July 30 on record, with Prince George narrowly surpassing a 105-year-old temperature record.
Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
CTVNews

Erosion exposing community water line
Erosion is rapidly exposing the community water line. Recent efforts to stabilize the area proved ineffective as gravel is quickly washed away, threatening the water supply infrastructure.
Noatak, Alaska, United States

2nd Anchorage-area hiker mauled by bear in under a week
A hiker near the South Fork of Eagle River was mauled by a bear feeding on salmon and sustained non-life-threatening injuries; it's the second attack in the Anchorage area in under a week.
Chugach State Park, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

I swung my fist as hard as I could: Man recalls northwest B.C. cougar attack
A Smithers man reports punching a cougar in the face during an unexpected encounter near Lake Kathlyn on July 26, sustaining minor injuries before the animal fled; conservation officers are monitoring the area for further cougar activity.
Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
Yukon News

Bear attacked man in Allaikhovsky District
A brown bear attacked a man near the Elong River in Allaikhovsky District on 26 July 2025, causing serious injuries. The assault was sudden and unprovoked. Authorities have launched a cull to control the bear population and protect public safety.
Allaikhovsky District, Sakha Republic, Russia
Yakutia.Info

Fisheries and Oceans Canada investigating fish die-off on Iqaluit shores
Hundreds of fish, believed to be Arctic cod, were found belly-up along the shore of Iqaluit; Fisheries and Oceans Canada is investigating possible causes, including low-tide stranding.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

Heat record from Nesbyen broken – Grong and Namsskogan record 13 consecutive tropical days
Grong and Namsskogan in Trøndelag have logged 13 straight days above 30 °C, breaking the 43-year Nesbyen record, amid a nationwide heatwave.
Grong and Namsskogan, Trøndelag, Norway
NRK

Itchy rashes after swimming in lake in Gällivare – suspected swimmers' itch
Gällivare municipality warns of suspected cases of swimmers’ itch after bathers developed itchy skin eruptions following a dip in Abborrtjärn.
Gällivare, Norrbotten County, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten

Then It Will Be Up to 32 Degrees: How Long the Heat Will Last
Norrbotten has experienced a persistent heat wave with temperatures above 30 °C for two weeks, and SMHI forecasts 32 °C in Luleå on Wednesday. Meteorologist Linus Karlsson attributes the prolonged heat to stable high pressure, with warmth expected to continue through the week.
Luleå, Norrbotten, Sweden
NSD

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

Blue-green algae warning issued for Lower Thetis Lake
A blue-green algae bloom detected at Lower Thetis Lake’s main beach prompted a Capital Regional District health advisory on July 20, 2025, warning humans and pets to avoid the water.
Lower Thetis Lake, Thetis Lake Regional Park, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Santa is sweating! Heatwave in Finnish Lapland makes international headlines
Temperatures in Rovaniemi exceeded 30 °C this week, drawing coverage from Reuters and CNN as the Finnish Meteorological Institute warned that Lapland’s all-time heat record could be broken.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Yle News

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

Flash floods like the one that swept through Texas are the nation’s top storm-related killer
Flash floods kill an average of 127 people annually in the U.S., and nearly half of all deaths involve vehicles. People don’t realize that it doesn’t take much water to strand or even sweep away a car.
Ingram, Texas, United States

KBNERR warns of potential harmful algal bloom in Kachemak Bay
The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve detected Pseudo-nitzschia at bloom levels in Kachemak Bay starting July 4. This diatom can produce the toxin domoic acid, associated with amnesic shellfish poisoning, though toxin production is not yet confirmed. Observed bird deaths and marine mammal strandings have spurred collection of mussel samples for lab testing.
Homer, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States
Peninsula Clarion

FMI: July was exceptionally warm, especially in Finnish Lapland
The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that July 2025 was exceptionally warm across Finland, with Lapland’s Ylitornio experiencing a record 26-day heatwave.
Ylitornio, Lapland, Finland
Yle

Iceland Records Warmest July Since 1933
July 2025 tied with 1933 as Iceland’s warmest July on record, with northeast and east regions averaging up to 14.2 °C and widespread 20 °C days across the country.
Nationwide, Iceland
Iceland Review

Nora, 9, got over 50 ticks on her legs in her grandmother’s garden
Nine-year-old Nora found over 50 ticks attached to her legs while playing barefoot in her grandmother’s garden in the Kålltorp district of Gothenburg.
Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Hiker bitten by bear
A hiker walking with their dog in Jarfjord, Sør-Varanger, was bitten in the arm by a bear and is now receiving medical treatment; authorities warn against approaching bears.
Jarfjord, Sør-Varanger, Norway
Altaposten

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

Run, run, run! B.C. hiker recounts Banff rockfall, remembers friend who died
Khaled Elgamal recounts surviving a rockfall at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park that killed his friend Hamza Benhilal and another hiker, while more than a dozen others were injured or evacuated.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Vancouver Sun

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

Fairbanks is under a Weather Service heat advisory. That's a first for Alaska.
The National Weather Service has issued its first-ever heat advisory for Alaska, covering Fairbanks as temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-80s this weekend.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

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

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

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

Polar bear attacks and injures skier in Nunavut national park
A skier was evacuated to an emergency shelter before being transported by snowmobile to Pangnirtung’s health centre. The incident occurred early Thursday morning and the skier is receiving treatment, with no update on their condition.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

3 Firefighters Killed as Wildfires Rage in Russia’s Far East
Three firefighters who went missing battling wildfires in the Zabaikalsky region of Russia’s Far East were found dead, prompting a criminal investigation amid a large-scale state of emergency.
Tungokochensky District, Zabaikalsky Region, Russia
The Moscow Times

Helicopter caught in avalanche in Abisko – two persons missing
A rescue operation has been initiated after an avalanche dragged a helicopter that was on the ground in Abisko National Park, with two persons currently reported missing.
Abisko, Norrbotten, Sweden

2 workers remain missing after ATV carrying 5 breaks through river ice in Mat-Su
Two people were swept under the ice on the Big Susitna River on Thursday morning while three others were able to reach safety, Alaska State Troopers said.
Sutton-Alpine, Alaska, United States

3 heli-skiers killed in massive avalanche near Girdwood
This is Alaska’s first fatal avalanche reported this season. It is also the country’s deadliest since February 2023.
Girdwood, Alaska

The Wave Drove Cars and People into the Sea
Two individuals were swept into the sea near Akranes harbor when a large swell unexpectedly engulfed the area, dragging along cars and a pedestrian. They were rescued by emergency services, with one later transferred to a hospital in Reykjavík.
Akranes, Iceland
Vísir

Person Missing After Vehicle Breaks Through Ice on Yukon's Lake Laberge
A person is missing after a vehicle fell through the ice on Lake Laberge in Yukon. Two others managed to escape.
Lake Laberge, Yukon, Canada

Black Sea Oil Spill Spreads to Beaches in Annexed Crimea
Oil from damaged Russian tankers has contaminated beaches in Crimea, with significant environmental cleanup efforts underway.
Crimea, Russia
The Moscow Times

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