Wildfires Blanket France and Spain in Toxic Smoke

Wildfires in France and Spain have exposed millions of people to harmful air pollution in recent days, according to scientists Theodore Keeping of Imperial College London and Mark Parrington of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

Smoke from the fires can spread hundreds of kilometers and contains high concentrations of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is associated with cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems.

In Bordeaux, PM2.5 levels briefly exceeded 300 micrograms per cubic meter on 26 July, according to data from the EU’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. The daily average reached 115 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly five times the EU limit.

In Limoges, more than 200 km northeast of Bordeaux, concentrations peaked above 400 micrograms per cubic meter. Unusually high levels were also recorded downwind of Madrid.

Parrington warned that wildfire smoke can make PM2.5 even more dangerous by increasing the particles’ toxicity as they combine with other components. He advised residents in affected areas to follow local guidance, stay indoors, keep windows closed or wear masks.

The fires are also making it harder to combat climate change. European forests absorb and store carbon dioxide, which is released back into the atmosphere when they burn.

Wildfires in Europe have emitted about 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide this year, with half of the EU’s fire emissions occurring in the past week alone.

Keeping said this year’s emissions were not yet high enough to derail the EU’s climate targets. However, he warned that this could change if climate change expands the risk of major fires into northern countries with large forests that store substantial amounts of carbon dioxide.

(Reuters, lud)