The northern hemisphere was unusually hard hit by wildfires this spring. This was announced Thursday by the European atmospheric service CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service). Record emissions were recorded in several regions.

The fires started very early this year. “Since March 23, CAMS scientists have observed significant fire activity in different areas of Spain,” the statement said.

Valencia have been particularly affected. As a result, Spain recorded record levels of emissions in May, previously seen only in 2012. The risk of wildfires was exacerbated “by the high temperatures and drought that hit the continent last winter “, did he declare.

Fires in Canada, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia

Fires in Canada, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and some neighboring regions of Russia were also above average. In May, one of the highest emission levels on record was recorded in Canada. The province of Saskatchewan was particularly hard hit.

The previous emissions record for this region in May was two megatons – this year it was exceeded by more than ten times (23 megatons). Record levels of fire emissions were also reached in the provinces of British Columbia, Northwest Territories and Nova Scotia.

The Atmosphere Monitoring Service is one of the many components of the European Union’s Copernicus programme. Among other things, it provides data on the atmosphere, oceans, land, climate change, security and energy obtained from satellite images. (dpa)