The multiple forest fires that have been raging in France since the beginning of summer have released record amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, according to satellite data, and fires in Spain in mid-July also helped break records for carbon emissions. Fuelled by global warming, the blazes are reducing the number of trees available to absorb carbon, further threatening ecosystems.
Some 650 firefighters were on the scene Tuesday putting out numerous hot spots that continued to burn along the perimeter of the Landiras fire in southwestern France, which has ravaged 74 square kilometres of pine trees. More than 600 square kilometres (232 square miles) of forest have burned so far this year in France, more than in any other year during the past decade, according to the European Forest Fire Information System, and July 2022 holds the record for burnt area. Furthermore, the EU's Copernicus environment observation programme announced Friday that France recorded the highest carbon emissions this summer from forest fires since records began in 2003.
