In the middle of winter, the embers of last year’s record wildfire season continue to smolder in Canada. So-called ‘zombie fires’ burn in great abundance under thick layers of snow, writes BBC.

This raises concerns about what the coming spring and summer might bring.

Those driving through the town of Fort Nelson in British Columbia in winter can easily see and smell the clouds of white smoke rising from the ground.

– Never experienced

Sonja Leverkus, who researches and helps fight wildfires, has lived in Fort Nelson for 15 years.

In November, she was driving during a snowstorm. The falling snow did not look white, but was more of a blue-gray color due to the smoke in the air.

“I’ve never experienced a snowstorm that smelled like smoke before,” said Leverkus.

The columns of smoke rising from the ground are still visible in February, even on days when the temperature drops to minus 40 degrees.

“Zombie fires,” also known as hibernation fires, are flameless embers that burn slowly beneath the surface and are maintained by peat moss, common in the boreal forests of North America.

The thick layer of snow insulates these smoldering fires from the cold.

91 “zombie fires”

Such fires are not uncommon. Over the past ten years, British Columbia has experienced an average of five or six such fires that continue to burn during the cold months.

This winter, “zombie fire” activity is much higher, with a peak in January of 106 active fires.

This has wildfire researchers worried about the coming season.

There are still 91 “zombie fires” in the Canadian province, and “zombie fires” that are not extinguished by March may reignite when the snow melts and they are exposed to the air.

In May 2021, I wrote National geographic that the increase in “zombie fires” in the Arctic is linked to climate change.

This is attributed to warmer summers and longer fire seasons, meaning fires from the previous year can come back to life the following spring.