Professor Patrick Louchouarn was recently featured on "Living on Earth," a nationally syndicated environmental news program that airs on public radio stations nationwide.

In the segment titled "Zombie Fires in Canada," which aired the week of July 25, 2025, Professor Louchouarn discussed the emerging threat of underground fires that can persist through winter months and re-emerge in spring. These so-called "zombie fires" burn slowly in organic-rich soils and peat, creating unique challenges for firefighters and significant environmental and public health impacts.

During his interview with host Steve Curwood, Professor Louchouarn explained how these fires differ from traditional wildfires, noting that they "burn for months at a time, all the way through the winter" and can survive in underground conditions where oxygen levels are low. He highlighted that zombie fires occur throughout Arctic regions, including Canada, Alaska, Siberia, and Scandinavia.

Professor Louchouarn emphasized the far-reaching consequences of these fires, including the accelerated release of carbon into the atmosphere and the production of fine particulate matter that can travel thousands of miles, thereby affecting air quality in major population centers. He noted that wildfire smoke from Canada has already impacted cities as far away as Philadelphia and Detroit.

Professor Louchouarn also discussed the connection between climate change and the increasing potential for zombie fires, explaining how rising temperatures in Arctic regions are drying out permafrost and creating more favorable conditions for underground burning.

"Living on Earth" is Public Radio's Environmental News Magazine, reaching audiences nationwide through NPR member stations. The full interview and transcript are available on the program's website here.