IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE
Shocking video reveals how much of Earth was on FIRE during ‘extreme’ 2019
A SHOCKING video has revealed the scale of wildfires that raged across our planet in 2019.
Dangerous and fast-spreading fires scorched huge areas of the planet on almost every continent.
6
Climate experts tracked the intensity and emissions of wildfires using imagery and satellite data.
This was then turned into a 92-second clip that maps the areas of the planet that experienced wildfires over the last 12 months.
Wildfires were almost constant throughout 2019, although some regions saw respite as the seasons changed.
The clip was created by Europe's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), which helps governments plan for wildfires.
6
Wildfires have dominated the media throughout 2019.
Devastating fires raged across California this year, destroying hundreds of buildings and burning tens of thousands of acres of land.
Fires in Syria during the spring and early summer laid waste to large areas of cropland, sparking fears of a food shortage.
Wildfires raging in Indonesia were also particularly intense in 2019, and pumped out 708 megatons of carbon dioxide.
6
Fires across the Arctic that began in June earned huge amounts of attention, and were described as "unprecedented".
The wildfires were mainly found in Siberia's Sakha Republic, as well as areas of Alaska.
In total, 100 separate wildfires were recorded in the region, which were largely blamed on "unusually hot and dry conditions in the region", according to the CAMS.
Wildfires in the Amazon also caused a panic, and released around 25 megatons of carbon dioxide during the first 26 days of August.
Sao Paolo was heavily effected by smoke emissions, which experts say had an impact on human health.
6
6
6
Wildfires – what are they?
Here's what you need to know...
- A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that typically occurs in large rural areas of vegetation
- Types of wildfire include brush fires, bush fires, desert fires, forest fires and peat fires
- Fossilised evidence suggests that wildfires began soon after land plants appeared 420million years ago
- Wildfires can destroy large areas of vegetation, and also threaten human property and life
- They are common on Earth due to the carbon-rich vegetation, dry climates, high levels of atmospheric oxygen, and widespread lightning
- Serious wildfires are hard to control and supress, as they can spread unpredictably and move quickly over large areas
- Wind can also be a major factor in the fast spread of wildfires
Australia bushfires that began in September also caused "widespread air quality issues".
The fires were so intense that several regions declared a state of emergency.
"It has been an extremely busy year for CAMS regarding the monitoring of wildfires," said Mark Parrington, Senior Scientist at CAMS.
"Throughout the year we have been closely watching the intensity of the fires and the smoke they emit all around the world and have experienced at times some quite exceptional fire activity.
"Even in places where we would expect to see fires at certain points of the year, some of the activity has been surprising.
"Our monitoring is important in raising awareness of the wider-scale impacts of wildfires and their smoke emissions so that organisations, businesses and individuals can be informed and plan against the potential effects of air pollution."
California firefighters post dramatic video showing the scale of the wildfires they're dealing with as they drive through Kincade Fire
MOST READ IN SCIENCE
In other news, Arctic wildfires earlier this year were so big they could be seen from space.
Britain is set to be 'as hot as Spain' in three decades, experts warn.
And here are history’s deadliest heatwaves – including wildfires, melting streets and one with 70,000 fatalities.
Do you worry about a climate apocalypse? Let us know in the comments!
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at [email protected]
Topics