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.

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