A new study concludes that most of the carbon released during Canada’s record 2023 wildfire season comes from below the surface rather than from burning trees. Researchers report that emissions are driven primarily by peat and soil being burned, which releases carbon stored in underground deposits. The findings challenge a common assumption that wildfire emissions mainly reflect the combustion of forest biomass.
Both sources describe the study as linking the majority of wildfire-related carbon emissions to burning organic material in peatlands and soils. They also highlight the role of a warming climate in increasing wildfire vulnerability. As temperatures rise, underground carbon stores are portrayed as becoming more susceptible to ignition, meaning future fires could release even larger amounts of stored carbon.
Overall, the reports emphasize that understanding wildfire emissions requires accounting for carbon released from the ground layer, not just vegetation. The study’s results are presented as relevant for assessing the climate impact of wildfires and for improving estimates of carbon emissions from future fire seasons.
