Climate Change Could Make Zombie Fires Worse

Warming summers caused by climate change could make overwinter ‘zombie’ fires more common. In the boreal forests of the far northern hemisphere, where the climate is warming faster than almost anywhere else, some wildfires are surviving winter snows and picking up again in spring. These “zombie fires” although rare are increasing as the climate warms, landscapes dry out and summertime blazes become increasingly ferocious.

To survive the winter, fires have to burn especially hot and deep, and the amount of rain or snow that falls appears to be inconsequential. However, climate change and melting sea ice will lead to an increase in lighting strikes in the region, which could also trigger more fires.

The potential for increased wildfires in the region threatens to release more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Read more in the original article here.