Burying wildfire-killed trees aims to lock up carbon

May 15, 2026

Reported by AI

A Montana project has buried thousands of dead trees from a 2021 wildfire in an effort to store their carbon underground for centuries. The approach by Mast Reforestation replaces the usual practice of burning the trees in piles. It also allows the company to sell carbon credits while planting new trees on the site.

In 2021 a wildfire at Poverty Flats burned 267 square kilometres and killed 50,000 ponderosa pines on the Gentry Ranch. Instead of piling and burning the snags, which would have released nearly 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, crews placed the trees in a 5,000-square-metre pit and covered them with six metres of soil, gravel and fabric.

Arctic wildfires release carbon stored for thousands of years

Wildfires raging across Arctic and boreal regions are igniting ancient carbon in soils, releasing far more carbon dioxide than climate models have assumed. A new study of soil cores shows that some fires are burning organic matter up to 5,000 years old.

Study reveals underestimated carbon emissions from boreal wildfires

March 04, 2026 Reported by AI

A new study from UC Berkeley indicates that climate models may significantly underestimate carbon emissions from wildfires in boreal forests due to overlooked peat soil burning. Researchers analyzed 2018 wildfires in Sweden and found that smoldering underground fires release ancient carbon stored for centuries. This discrepancy highlights potential gaps in global emission estimates, especially in vast regions like Siberia and Canada.

Politics

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Environment

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Environment

Study finds fuel treatments save $3.73 per dollar spent on wildfires

Arctic peatlands expand as warming creates feedback risks

A new study reveals that peatlands in the Arctic are growing due to rapid regional warming and increased precipitation, potentially storing more carbon but also heightening the risk of releases through fires. Researchers warn of a dangerous feedback loop as these carbon-rich ecosystems respond to climate changes. The findings highlight the dual role of these landscapes in global warming mitigation.

Raising water levels cuts emissions in Arctic peatlands

February 22, 2026 Reported by AI

A two-year study in northern Norway shows that elevating groundwater in drained Arctic peatlands significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions and can even turn the land into a net carbon sink. Researchers at NIBIO's Svanhovd station found that higher water levels limit microbial activity while maintaining low methane and nitrous oxide emissions. The findings highlight potential climate benefits for cold northern farmlands.

Environment