Wildfire emissions are on the rise, exposing millions of people to more air pollution

Scientists said that wildfires in France, Spain and other countries have caused air pollution to be harmful to millions of people over the past few days.

The smoke from fires is a mixture of?pollutants which can reduce air quality hundreds of kilometers away. Scientists expressed concern about fine particulate particles, also known as PM2.5. These particles are linked to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems.

Theodore Keeping is a climate researcher at Imperial College London.

The PM2.5 levels are very, very high. We're seeing more and more severe fires with high intensity.

The EU's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service reported that in the French city Bordeaux, the levels of pollution rose to 300 micrograms/cubic metre at its highest on July 26. Keeping reported that Bordeaux's PM2.5 levels averaged 115 milligrams per cubic metre on July 26, nearly five times the EU average daily limit.

Smoke plumes carried unusually high levels of PM2.5 downwind from Madrid and Bordeaux. Over the weekend, in Limoges, which is located more than 200 kilometres northeast of Bordeaux, PM2.5 concentrations peaked above 400 micrograms/cubic metre.

Mark Parrington, senior scientist at the European Center for Medium-Range Weather forecasts, said: "They are producing enormous amounts of smoke... We see it spreading across central parts in Spain and southern France."

Smoke from wildfires can increase the toxicity of PM2.5 particles, making them even more dangerous.

"It may also contain a number of other unpleasant substances that are condensed on the particles, which can be inhaled and cause respiratory illnesses because they are smaller." Parrington explained.

He encouraged people to listen to local authorities and follow their advice. For example, he advised them to keep windows closed, stay indoors or wear masks.

Emissions of Carbon Dioxide

Climate change intensifies the hot, dry conditions which allow wildfires spread faster and to burn longer.

Wildfires themselves are a hindrance to combating climate change. When forests burn, they release hundreds of millions tons of carbon dioxide that heats the planet.

Data from the European Forest Fire Information System shows that wildfires in Europe have produced 18 million metric tons of CO2 in this year. France has recorded its highest CO2 fire emissions for this time of the year. The last week alone accounted for half of the EU's total fire emissions.

Wildfires only contribute a tiny fraction of the total EU greenhouse gas emissions. However, the EU counts the CO2 stored in forests as part of its targets to reduce emissions. This is done to compensate for the pollution caused by industries.

Scientists say that fire?emissions have not been at a level?that could thwart climate goals this year, but this 'could change as climate change increases fire risks in northern countries where there are large forests storing CO2.

"Once fire weather conditions cause large fires to occur in these regions, which is a significant part of their target of net zero, that will be a bigger issue," Keeping stated. (Reporting and editing by Alex Richardson; Kate Abnett)

(source: Reuters)