AEROSOL INDEX VARIATIONS CAUSED BY SEVERE FOREST FIRES IN SIBERIA

Aerosol index variations, caused by large-scale forest fires in Siberia, Russia in 2012, 2013 were studied on remote sensing data (EOS Terra, Aqua and Aura). Analysis of the forest fire activity, variations of aerosol index distribution, pressure fields and winds shows that large-scale forest fires are the main factor determining the spatial and temporal distribution of the aerosol index from April to October as in the Siberia and the Far East. Formation of large-scale inhomogeneities in AI distribution is possible under appropriate meteorological conditions (low pressure, slow wind speed, etc.) which lead to formation of stagnation regions where aerosol particles are accumulated. Aerosol pollution from severe forest fires can be transported over a high distances from the fire location.