Fires around Moscow: A satellite perspective

Space scientists at the University of Leicester have released satellite images of vast plumes of smoke emanating from the peat bog fires which are currently sweeping across central and western Russia.

Using equipment on the European satellite MetOp-A researchers from the University's Earth Observation Science group have analysed and released still images taken on 4, 8 and 9 August.

Each satellite image is available as both a true colour image and as a false colour version in which the smoke shows up as yellow. Using this technique, the extent of the smoke plumes and their encirclement of Moscow becomes obvious.

As well as demonstrating the massive extent of the smoke clouds across Western Russia, the satellite images indicate another interesting phenomenon: pyrocumulonimbus clouds. These are water clouds, caused by hot air rising directly from a fire, which can trap airborne pollution and transport it for thousands of kilometres. The image from 8 August clearly shows these clouds moving towards Finland in the extreme top left of the picture.

Dr David Moore from the Earth Observation Science Group said,: "Using measurements from spaceborne instruments, we have been able to observe the vast extent of the smoke released from numerous wildfires in Western Russia. The pollutants contained within these smoke plumes can have a profound effect on both the local and regional air quality and atmospheric chemistry. A key aspect of our ongoing investigations will be to quantify the impact the fires have had on indirect greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon monoxide."

The Earth Observation Science (EOS) group is based in the University of Leicester's Space Research Centre and includes staff from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Geography. Earlier this year the EOS group released satellite images of the volcanic ice clouds which enveloped Europe after an eruption in Iceland.

via Fires around Moscow: A satellite perspective.

The sight of smouldering peat bogs just 60 kilometres from Chernobyl has increased fears of a nuclear threat from wildfires in Eastern Europe. Forests in Ukraine, like Russia, have been burning in a sweltering heatwave. And the proximity of this particular fire to the site of the world’s worst civilian nuclear disaster is giving cause for concern. The wasteland surrounding Chernobyl remains contaminated although radioactivity has diminished substantially since the 1986 explosions. Over the border, radiation-polluted regions of Russia have also been hit although the overall area of forest fires has decreased. The fight against the flames has been continuing near Russia’s main nuclear research facility at Sarov. With the spectre of Chernobyl looming over this crisis, experts abroad say the actual risks are small.

In Russia, too there have been reassurances as well as vigilance. Russian Forestry Institute Director Andrei Sirin said there is no reason to panic. But he added that these regions need special protection from fires because a radioactive cloud could rise along with the smoke and spread.

Leading scientists say the amount of radiation in the smoke would only be a fraction of the original fallout. They insist the situation won’t lead to health concerns for people locally and in other countries in Europe.

via Euro News

Russia's chief physician says breathing Moscow's smog-filled air is as bad as smoking two packs of cigarettes per day. - link

I know someone who believes the US and Russia have for years been fighting each other with secret weather weapons. This is our payback for Katrina.  This kind of thinking usually comes from a lack of understanding of the situation. What actually causes the peat bog fires? A zeenews article says they are  caused by abnormally hot weather.  This makes sense when you realize what a peat bog is and that they are drying out:

The Moscow region has thousands of acres of peat bogs — wetlands full of decayed plant matter. When they are drained for agriculture and other purposes, they can become a fire hazard. When moisture is especially low, such as during heat waves, the peat, which is high in carbon, is higly flammable and can ignite and smolder underground and give off dangerous fumes. - msnbc