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Scientists alarmed after two wildfires hit Greenland within a week
Researchers say it is ‘quite wild’ to see fires at such high northern latitudes happen so early in the year
TL;DR
- Two wildfires broke out in Greenland in mid-June, unusually early for the Arctic summer.
- Fires occurred near Sisimiut and Kujalleq, in ice-free tundra areas.
- Dry conditions, attributed to less snow and rainfall, contributed to the fires.
- Climate breakdown is heating the Arctic rapidly, making vegetation more flammable.
- Arctic tundra fires can release significant amounts of old carbon into the atmosphere.
- While ignition sources are still needed, fire weather conditions are becoming more common globally due to fossil fuel pollution.