Scientists fear the impact of large-scale fires on the melting of permafrost, which will lead to a new wave of fires.
In Russia, forests are burning in Siberia, but there is no one to put out the fire – military firefighters were redeployed to invade Ukraine.
It is reported that scientists fear the impact of large-scale fires on the melting of permafrost, which will lead to a new wave of fires.
“Because the largest fires often need military aircraft to spot and verify the satellite or community reports, [and to] support and fight in Siberia, it is questionable that this capacity will even be available during the summer if the war continues,” said Jessica McCarthy, a climate researcher at the University of Miami.
“So,” according to the researcher, “either there will be more fires … or these aircraft and personnel will be taken away from the western front and brought to Siberia.”
In April 2021, Greenpeace Russia predicted that the country’s wildfire area would be double what it is now.
Wildfires in Siberia, which is within the Arctic Circle, are part of a deadly feedback loop, making this situation more worrisome.
The fires thaw permafrost, releasing CO2 and methane into the atmosphere. In the near term, methane has a very strong greenhouse warming effect.
During a “persistent heatwave” in Siberia last summer, land temperatures near the Arctic Circle hit a record-breaking 48 degrees Celsius.
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