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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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Far East Russia’s Sakha Declares Wildfire Emergency
Sakha is now the fourth region in the Far East where a state of emergency is currently in place due to wildfires. The other three are the Zabaykalsky and Amur regions, as well as the republic of Buryatia. Russia’s wildfire season officially began in early March. By mid-April, regions in the Far East recorded nearly twice as many fires as they had during the same period last year, with most blazes caused by human negligence.
Yakutsk, Sakha, Russia
The Moscow Times

This N.W.T. man was on a survey looking for birds. Instead he found the wreckage of a plane
During a bird survey in Wood Buffalo National Park, Earl Evans unexpectedly discovered a plane wreckage from a 1971 crash, typically submerged but now visible due to low water levels.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Evacuees from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. escape raging wildfire
Residents of Fort Nelson, B.C., are urged to evacuate immediately due to a rapidly escalating wildfire, exacerbated by high winds and continuous drought conditions.
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

'There's no water': This duck hunter in Fort Smith, N.W.T., went out and found no ducks
A duck hunter in Fort Smith, N.W.T., found his usual hunting grounds dried up and devoid of wildlife due to recent wildfires and record-low water levels.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Fire destroys Peter Pan Seafoods facility in Sand Point
A fire destroyed a Peter Pan Seafoods facility in Sand Point, Alaska, causing a pervasive smell of burning plastic from fishing gear stored on-site.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

2 found dead after residential fires in Mat-Su
Two individuals died in separate fires in Mat-Su, with one victim found outside his home after escaping the blaze, potentially succumbing to extreme cold.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

'Superfog' near New Orleans blamed for highway crashes that killed at least 7
Authorities say at least seven people have been killed after a “superfog” of smoke from south Louisiana marsh fires and dense fog caused multiple massive car crashes involving 158 vehicles.
Manchac, Louisiana
AP News

Stay or flee: the decisions First Nations people are making in the face of B.C. wildfires
With wildfires raging across the Interior of B.C., and many First Nations being ordered to evacuate, community members say the decision to stay or go can be tough.
Sorrento, British Columbia, Canada

300 firefighters converge in Delta Junction to tackle area wildfires
More than 1,000 firefighters are suppressing wildfires across Interior Alaska, and about a third of them are working out of a temporary incident command post set up at the Deltana Fairgrounds in Delta Junction. The focus will be on the 47,000-acre Pogo Mine Road Fire.
Delta Junction, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Canada wildfire: all 20,000 Yellowknife residents evacuating
Canadian fire crews on Thursday battled to prevent wildfires from reaching the northern city of Yellowknife, where all 20,000 residents are leaving by car and plane after an evacuation order was declared.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Reuters

Where are N.W.T. evacuees going? Here's the latest on flights out of wildfire-threatened communities
With five N.W.T. communities evacuated as wildfires roll through the southern part of the territory, there has been a co-ordinated effort to fly out anyone still trapped in Fort Smith, Hay River and Kátł'odeeche First Nation.Here's our roundup on who's flying where, and when.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

More than 271 structures impacted by Lahaina fire
More than 271 structures have been impacted by the Lahaina fire, the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and Maui Fire Department reported after flyovers of Lahaina town on Wednesday..
Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
mauinews.com

Wildfire smoke, climate change affecting N.W.T. berry pickers and their harvest
Cathy Pope, a berry picker from Norman Wells, N.W.T., said there has been an abundance of blueberries this year, and that she's "never seen it like this." Despite the ample availability of fruit, thick wildfire smoke — some of the worst in the country, at times — has made it hard for Pope to go out and pick.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada

Warm temps and wind fan Interior fires
An evacuation alert was also issued Friday for residents of the Lower Salcha River, from river mile 3 to 40. The Middle Salcha remains under a SET status, from river
Salcha, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Calm but overwhelmed: wildfire evacuees from Behchokǫ̀ start to arrive in Yellowknife
Behchokǫ̀, a community of about 2,000 people northwest of Yellowknife, issued an evacuation order shortly before 6 p.m Monday evening. A wildfire is burning about 25 kilometres to the east of the Behchokǫ̀, and 45 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife.
Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, Canada

Haze from Canada wildfires coming to Southcentral Alaska this week
The smoke is from numerous wildfires burning in Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

79 wildfires burning in northern Quebec, 11 out of control
Wildfires are still burning in Quebec's northern zone, with 11 fires still considered out of control early Tuesday morning. However, the provincial forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, said rain since Sunday and rising humidity have helped stabilize the flames for the time being.
Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada
Montreal

Boy, 9, died of asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke, parents say
Grieving parents who lost their nine-year-old boy last week say their son died after a severe asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke engulfing parts of British Columbia.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Cabins lost in wildfire near Tulita, N.W.T., as smoke forces some residents to leave
At last measurement, the fire had burned about 14,000 hectares and remains within 10 kilometres of Tulita, but is on the far side of the Mackenzie River.
Tulita NWT

Residents prepare to flee wildfire burning off Alaska Highway in the Yukon's Ibex Valley
Takhini River resident Georgina Widney said she is packed and ready to go if the evacuation alert for her area in the Ibex Valley changes to an evacuation order.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

Wildfire smoke affecting millions of Canadians expected to linger for at least 2 days
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will make breathing outdoors difficult today for millions of people across the six largest provinces and into the United States.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

All it takes is one spark - high risk of forest fires throughout Finland
One spark was all it took. The driver of the forest harvester was working a logging site at Renko in Kanta-Häme. The grapple of the machine hit a stone, throwing a spark that set the underbrush ablaze.
Renko, Häme, Finland
News

Emergency services tackle wildfires across Finland over the weekend, FMI expands fire warnings
Firefighters dealt with about 20 blazes on Sunday alone, as dry conditions and strong winds heighten risks of forest and brush fires getting out of control.
Merijärvi, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland
News

Donnie Creek wildfire now nearly double the size of Metro Vancouver as hundreds more properties under threat
More properties have been ordered evacuated after high winds fanned a massive wildfire in northeastern British Columbia that is the second largest in the province's history.
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

Ottawa looking at options for a national disaster response agency as wildfires rage
The federal government is studying options for creating a new national disaster response agency as wildfires rage across places like Ottawa, Toronto, and other locations in Southern Canada.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Evacuations and anxiety as wildfires rage near Cree communities in Quebec
From thick smoke to a complete evacuation, several Cree communities in northern Quebec are dealing with impacts of the wildfires raging in the region. "The fire is moving aggressively, and it's still moving quickly, headed towards Oujé-Bougoumou. This has created a lot of fear and anxiety in the community.
Quebec, Canada

Compare the size of the Donnie Creek wildfire to other historic blazes and major North American cities
Hot weather will continue to challenge firefighters in B.C. this week, as statistics released Monday confirmed that the 2023 wildfire season has already broken some records.

'No relief in sight' from N.W.T. wildfire near Hay River, Kátł'odeeche First Nation
Shane Thompson, the N.W.T.'s minister of Environment and Climate Change as well as Municipal and Community Affairs, gave an update on the out-of-control wildfire burning near Hay River and the Kátł'odeeche First Nation since Sunday.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Air quality in Calgary 'very high risk' as wildfires rage in northern Alberta
Air quality in Calgary remains poor as wildfire smoke blankets the city. The situation is expected to last through the long weekend.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
calgaryherald

Alaska fire season begins with almost two dozen human-caused blazes
Twenty-three of the 25 fires so far this year were ignited by human activity. While this year’s heavy snowpack and cold spring pushed back the start to fire season in many parts of the state, climate change is generally causing an earlier snowmelt, said climatologist Rick Thoman.
Alaska, United States
Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

22-hectare wildfire west of Fort Smith, N.W.T., 'out of control'
Friday saw the N.W.T.'s first two reported wildfires of the season. Both were near Fort Smith. The first forest fire of the season 30 kilometres northeast of Fort Smith. They called the fire a holdover fire, which means it stayed active under snow over the winter.
Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States

Wildfire in eastern Spain forces hundreds to evacuate homes
A forest fire raged in eastern Spain on Thursday, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate from nearby villages and sending huge plumes of smoke into the air.
Villanueva de Viver, Castellón, Spain
Reuters

At least 24 dead in Chile as wildfires spread, driving many to flee for safety
Firefighters battled dozens of raging wildfires in Chile on Sunday, seeking to gain control of one of the country’s worst natural disasters in years as the death toll rose to at least 24 with nearly 1,000 more injured.
Santa Juana, Biobío, Chile
Reuters

Late Alaska Winter
October flew by leaving us with a couple of light snowfalls. November came around with something slightly more impressive, but it wasn't the same. Mid December decided to make up for all of the snowfalls that we missed all at once, it seems like.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Richard L Thoman Jr, Mike Brook, Mackenzie Lord

Washington wildfire caused by pyrotechnic, police seek tips
Officials say a wildfire in Southwest Washington that ballooned Sunday, causing regional air quality issues, may have been started by a firework or firearm.
Camas, Washington, United States
The Seattle Times

President Tokayev Arrives in Kostanai Region as Forest Fires Burn Record 43,000 Hectares
The Kostanai Region declared a state of emergency on Sept. 4 after forest fires burned a record 43,000 hectares (the size of Сarribean Barbados island) and forced an evacuation of 1,841 people.
Аманкарагай, Әулиекөл, Kostanay, Kazakhstan
The Astana Times

Wildfires Blanket Moscow in Smog
The fires affecting Moscow are concentrated in the Ryazan region, some 250 kilometers to the south. This is not the first time smog has appeared in Moscow in recent months, with local authorities advising residents to wear masks to protect themselves earlier this month.
Moscow, Russia
The Moscow Times

Fort Smith residents should expect heavy smoke this week as wildfire burns 38 kilometres away
There's a wildfire burning near Fort Smith, N.W.T., about 9,000 hectares in size. Fire crews are currently at the scene. People are being evacuated from the Taltson Dam area "out of an abundance of caution," the territory says.
Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada

Large forest fire hits Upper Gullies, C.B.S.
Amid intense smoke, flames and temperatures up into the high 20s C, Conception Bay South Fire Department (CBSFD) firefighters and provincial forestry crews along with a waterbomber fought a major forest fire in the town on Sunday afternoon.
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Saltwire

Thousands of lightning strikes and another 13 fires recorded as Alaska's intense fire season continues
There were 4,500 lightning strikes in Alaska Tuesday — the latest in a run of days with thousands of ground strikes. There were also another 13 new, primarily lightning sparked wildfires in the state Tuesday, mostly in the Interior. The lightning storms have coincided with very dry conditions.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

Wildfire breaches north Klondike Hwy in Yukon, burns up power poles
The North Klondike Highway remains closed from Stewart Crossing to Pelly Crossing after fire breached the highway, the Yukon government has confirmed.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

In Anchorage, June’s record heat and little rain ramp up holiday weekend fire risk
Anchorage saw temperatures spike above 60 degrees every day in June for the first time in recorded history. The city also experienced near record low precipitation: Only 1/10 of an inch of rain fell the entire month.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Yukon fire crews fight to contain fires near Finlayson Lake
Yukon fire crews are targetting wildfires near Carmacks and the Finlayson Lake fire, with the hopes of reopening a key highway when fire becomes less extreme and visibility improves.
Carmacks, Yukon, Canada

Firefighters work to contain Anchorage wildfire
The fire also comes as the state of Alaska enters its second highest level of fire preparedness, based on the high number of wildfires burning statewide and the possibility for more.

Warm, dry weather expected to spread wildfires burning in upper Kuskokwim River region
The state has established a fire response hub in Aniak to issue supplies to the surrounding fires.
Sleetmute, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Unusual thunderstorms ignite fires around Bristol Bay
Southwest Alaska has had an unusual increase in lighting storms this month. That lightning has ignited at least half a dozen wildfires in the Bristol Bay area.
Dillingham, Alaska, United States
KDLG

Thunderstorms in Southcentral Alaska spark at least 1 structure fire
It’s not often that Southcentral Alaska residents wake to thunder in the middle of the night. But what forecasters are calling an unusual storm moved from the Talkeetna Mountains into the Matanuska Valley and then Anchorage and south to the Kenai Peninsula from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. At least one lightning-caused structure fire was reported.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Large tundra fire burns 12 miles away from St. Mary’s
“It’s been hot, it’s been dry, and it’s been windy. And those winds gusts of 20 miles per hour, it’s kind of funneled through the Andreafsky River drainage,” said Beth Ipsen. Federal entities sent in more firefighters this week, and some residents are thinking about preparing their go-bags.
St. Mary's, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Historic Lower Yukon wildfire forces evacuations from St. Mary’s and Pitkas Point
Two villages along the Lower Yukon River have begun evacuating their most vulnerable residents from a tundra fire.The fire late Thursday was burning less than eight miles from St Mary’s and nearby Pitkas Point, and wind continues spreading the flames closer to the villages with a combined population of over 700 people. Yute Commuter Service is sending all its planes to St. Mary’s to evacuate residents, and Grant Aviation is prepared to assist.
Pitkas Point, Alaska, United States

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