Rare and Extreme Wildland Fire in Sakha in 2021

Hiroshi Hayasaka

doi:10.3390/atmos12121572

Abstract

A large-scale wildland fire occurred in Sakha in 2021. The results of fire analysis showed that the total number of hotspots in 2021 exceeded 267,000. This is about 5.8 times the average number of fires over the last 19 years since 2002. The largest daily number of hotspots in 2021 was 16,226, detected on 2 August. On 7 August, about half of the daily hotspots (52.6% = 8175/15,537 × 100) were detected in a highest fire density area (HFA, 62.5–65° N, 125–130° E) near Yakutsk under strong southeasterly wind (wind velocity about 12 m/s (43 km/h)). The results of weather analysis using various weather maps are as follows: The large meandering westerlies due to stagnant low-pressure systems in the Barents Sea brought high-pressure systems and warm air masses from the south to high latitudes, creating warm, dry conditions that are favorable conditions for fire. In addition to these, strong southeasterly winds at lower air levels blew which were related to the development of high-pressure systems in the Arctic Ocean. The HFA was located in the strong wind region (>8 m/s) of the v-wind map. The record-breaking Sakha fire season of 2021 is an example of extreme phenomena wrought by rapid climate change.

Highlights

Arctic amplification (AA)—referring to the enhancement of near-surface air temperature change over the Arctic relative to lower latitudes—is a prominent feature of climate change with important impacts on human and natural systems [1]
Gillett et al [5] have suggested that the observed increase in area burned in Canada during the last four decades is the result of human-induced climate change
It appears that temperature is the most important predictor of area burned in Canada and Alaska with warmer temperatures associated with increased area burned [6,7]

Summary

Introduction

Arctic amplification (AA)—referring to the enhancement of near-surface air temperature change over the Arctic relative to lower latitudes—is a prominent feature of climate change with important impacts on human and natural systems [1]. Weather and climate are the most important factors influencing fire activity and these factors are changing due to human-caused climate change [2]. Under a warmer climate in the future, more severe fire weather, more area burned, more ignitions and a longer fire season are expected [3]. Gillett et al [5] have suggested that the observed increase in area burned in Canada during the last four decades is the result of human-induced climate change. It appears that temperature is the most important predictor of area burned in Canada and Alaska with warmer temperatures associated with increased area burned [6,7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion