Permafrost is key to carbon storage. That makes northern wildfires even more dangerous

The devastating wildfires in northern Canada in recent years have climate consequences that go far beyond smoke and carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, according to a new study co-authored by two NAU researchers. The study, which looked at the various effects of fire in northern Canada and Alaska, wasn't all bad news: The researchers found fires in Canada, when coupled with snowpack, have a net cooling effect. That cooling, however, isn't enough to outweigh the warming effects of permafrost carbon released into the atmosphere from fires in Alaska.