BOULDER, Colo., March 1 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have linked El Nino with the greatest increase in wildfire activity in Indonesia since the record-breaking 1997-1998 El Nino period.
El Nino is an abnormal warming of ocean waters in the eastern tropical Pacific -- a condition that often brings significant shifts in global weather patterns.
As rainfall sharply decreased during the last quarter of 2006 across the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Malaysia, the land became exceptionally dry. That allowed wildfires to spread, releasing large amounts of soot and tiny dust particles that brought unhealthy pollution levels to the area.
"Even though fires in South America and southern Africa typically produce the greatest amount of carbon monoxide, the pollution from Indonesian fires is likely responsible for most of the year-to-year variation in pollution levels throughout the Southern Hemisphere," Edwards said.
He noted carbon monoxide released from wildfires is a major player in regional air quality conditions, but significant amounts of carbon dioxide -- the primary greenhouse gas -- are also released. As a result, wildfires also have the potential to impact long-term climate.
The scientists are currently studying how they can use satellite data to examine Northern Hemisphere wildfire outbreaks.
