Extensive wildfires in Siberia are worsening air quality in parts of Finland on Monday, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) told STT.
Winds brought fine particulate matter to Lapland over the weekend. The particles spread overnight along western Finland and into the southern parts of the country.
Air quality in many areas was rated as “fair” or “satisfactory” during the morning.
However, the FMI said the situation is expected to improve by Tuesday.
The levels of fine particulate matter currently detected in Finland are typical of those commonly seen in Central Europe, according to the FMI.
Fine particulate matter refers to particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. These particles can travel thousands of kilometres with air masses.
The FMI’s northernmost air quality monitoring station is in Kittilä, western Lapland, where air quality was rated as satisfactory on Saturday.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Future wildfires likely to impede construction on Mackenzie Valley Highway, expert says, CBC News
Denmark: Denmark, Greenland agree to build naval wharf in Nuuk amid growing Arctic focus, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Wildfires continue to burn across Lapland, Yle News
Norway: Smoke from Canadian wildfires forecast to reach Norway, The Associated Press
Russia: New NOAA report finds vast Siberian wildfires linked to Arctic warming, The Associated Press
Sweden: High risk of wildfires in many parts of Sweden, including North, Radio Sweden
United States: Wildfires in Anchorage? Climate change sparks disaster fears, The Associated Press
