Siberia's Unseasonal Heat Causes Wildfire Spread... Forest Area Twice the Size of Seoul Disappears

246 Siberian Wildfires This Year, 1400㎢ Reduced to Ashes
Temperatures Soar Up to 38°C in Some Areas...Record High Temperatures

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Arctic region of Siberia has shattered its record for the highest temperatures ever due to global warming, resulting in over 200 wildfires that have destroyed vast areas of forest. The massive amount of carbon dioxide released from these wildfires is expected to further intensify the warming phenomenon, perpetuating a vicious cycle.

According to the BBC on the 7th (local time), the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) under the European Union (EU) reported that the average temperature in the Siberian region last month rose 5 degrees Celsius above the normal average, marking an all-time high. In some areas, temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius from early last month, and Verkhoyansk in Siberia soared to 38 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record. C3S analyzed that the warming rate in Siberia is twice as fast as the global average.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

With the sudden heatwave, wildfires have also become more frequent, burning vast forest areas. The Russian Federal Air Forest Protection Service reported that 246 wildfires have occurred in the Siberian region this year, burning 1,400 km² of forest and releasing 5,900 tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to more than twice the total area of Seoul turning to ashes. Mark Parrington, Chief Scientist at C3S, explained, "High temperatures and dry surfaces are creating optimal conditions for wildfires to occur," adding, "The fires are not extinguishing and are spreading rapidly."

Due to these abnormal high temperatures and wildfires, the snow, glaciers, and coniferous forests covering Siberia are rapidly decreasing, raising concerns that global warming will worsen further. Glaciers and ice reflect about 80% of sunlight, whereas normal land reflects only about 10%, causing temperatures to rise more quickly. The sharp increase in carbon dioxide, a representative greenhouse gas, due to wildfires is also expected to further intensify the abnormal heat phenomenon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.