Wildfire in the Arctic regions of the planet.
Yes, this issue might seem strange – fire in places typically known for cold and ice.
But the impacts upon climate, emissions, culture and politics are reverberating well beyond this region.
A special issue of Wildfire magazine is now out from the International Association of Wildland Fire and the Arctic Council
In this issue scientists, policy experts, community and Indigenous leaders provide clear insights on what is occurring with wildland fire in the Arctic and how best to respond, locally, nationally and internationally.
As the editors say: “What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic.”
The Arctic Council is a body composed of Canada, The Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, The Russian Federation, Sweden, The United States, and Permanent Participant organizations of Indigenous Peoples from around the circumpolar north including Aleut International Association, Arctic Athabaskan Council, Gwich’in Council International, Inuit Circumpolar Council, Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North and the Saami Council.
Wildfire magazine has brought forward scientists, policy experts, leaders of Arctic Council Working Groups, Indigenous voices, and community voices to help highlight what’s occurring with wildland fire in the Arctic, the nature of the crisis, possible responses, how states are working together on the issue, Indigenous knowledges around wildland and cultural fire, and more.
“Through the articles compiled here, we hope you’ll find a new interest in wildland fires in the Arctic, in research regarding the issue, in governance and emergency response in the unique settings of the Arctic, and most of all, we hope you’ll find a new spirit kindling within you to help us address the circumpolar wildland fire crisis.”
The issue was led by the co-chairs of the Wildland Fire Initiative: the Chair of the Arctic Council Senior Arctic Officials, Morten Høglund, and Gwich’in Council International Head of Delegation, Edward Alexander.
