Zombie Fires Are on the Rise

Zombie fires are underground fires that smolder through winter and reignite in fire season. They are common in boreal forests and are becoming more frequent due to climate change. These fires go through four stages: appearing extinguished, smoldering unnoticed, reigniting, and spreading. Factors like large burned areas, hot summers, and deep burns contribute to their formation. Climate change accelerates these conditions, especially in Arctic regions, creating a feedback loop of more severe fire seasons. Zombie fires emit carbon and methane, contributing to climate change. Early detection and climate action are key to mitigating their impact.

What is a unique characteristic of zombie fires?

• They burn only during the summer.

• They occur only in tropical regions.

• They can overwinter and re-emerge.

• They are easily detectable.

Which factor is NOT mentioned as a condition for zombie fires to overwinter?

• Larger burned areas

• Colder winters

• Burn depth

• Hotter summers

How does climate change potentially affect zombie fires?

• It makes zombie fires less severe.

• It increases the likelihood of zombie fires.

• It reduces the number of zombie fires.

• It has no impact on zombie fires.

What is a potential consequence of more frequent zombie fires?

• Decreased carbon emissions

• Shorter fire seasons

• Increased carbon emissions

• Less severe fire seasons

What is one method suggested to mitigate the impact of zombie fires?

• Ignoring them until they grow

• Increasing the number of fire managers

• Using air and satellite systems for early detection

• Waiting for natural extinction

Which greenhouse gas is more potent than CO2 and is emitted by zombie fires?

• Nitrous oxide

• Methane

• Ozone

• Sulfur dioxide

What is the estimated CO2 emission from zombie fires in Alaska and the Northwest Territories between 2002 and 2018?

• 3.5 teragrams

• 2.5 teragrams

• 4.5 teragrams

• 1.5 teragrams