16/07/2019 (Agence Europe) – The exceptional number of forest fires in the Arctic Circle in recent weeks has resulted in the release of 50 megatonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). Implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts on behalf of the EU, CAMS has observed more than 100 forest fires in the region since early June. Based on 17 years of observation, it appears that forest fires are unprecedented for the month of June, because of their magnitude and duration. In addition, during the first half of July, fires in the Arctic Circle have already released about 31 megatonnes of CO₂. They were most significant in Siberia and Alberta, Canada. (AN)