Why in News ?
Zombie Fires in Arctic Region raises the warming in the region. Fire regimes in the Arctic are changing rapidly. Also fires occurring in the once-frozen tundra.
What is a Zombie Fire ?
- Zombie fire’ is a fire from a previous growing season that can smoulder under the ground which is made up of carbon-rich peat.
- When the weather warms, the fire can reignite.
Fire in the Arctic Tundra regions
- Fires in the Arctic spreading to areas which were formerly fire-resistant.
- The tundra north of the Arctic Circle is drying up and vegetation there like moss, grass, dwarf shrubs, etc are starting to catch fire.
- Most of the fire occurred occurred on continuous permafrost, with over half of these burning on ancient carbon-rich peat soils.
- The temperature of the region are increasing leads to the development of Heat Waves.
Issues related to Arctic Fire
- Fires and record temperatures had the potential of turning the carbon sink into a carbon source and increasing global warming.
- These changes can be sense using a variety of satellite and remote sensing tools.
- PermaFrost : any ground that remains completely frozen—32°F (0°C) or colder—for at least two years straight.
- Peat : highly organic material found in marshy or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter. It acts as a carbon store
Way Forward
Global cooperation, investment and action in monitoring fires. It called for learning from the indigenous peoples of the Arctic about how fire was traditional used.
- New permafrost- and peat-sensitive approaches to wildland fire fighting were needed to save the Arctic.
Source : Down To Earth
Topic
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Current Affairs Compilation : 1 October 2020