‘Zombie Wildfires’ Appear to be Increasing in the Arctic

“Zombie wildfires” — fires that smolder underground through the winter and flare up the following spring — appear to be increasing due to climate change, according to a recent study, APM reports.

The study published in the journal Nature was led by researchers at a university in Amsterdam, aided by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists. The study points to more than 40 overwintering wildfires reported in Alaska since 2005.

Randi Jandt is a UAF fire ecologist and co-author of the paper. She said climate change is suspected to be a key factor and that when Alaska’s peat-rich soils dry out, they provide an environment where fire can smolder throughout the winter.

Overwintering fires pose a challenge for firefighters.