Siberian permafrost fires
Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia · 62.00°, 130.00° · Wildfires
Some of the largest wildfires ever recorded burned across taiga on thawing permafrost in 2021.
Yakutia is one of the coldest inhabited regions on Earth, yet in 2021 record heat and drought fuelled fires that burned an area larger than many countries and sent smoke to the North Pole. Fires on peat and permafrost release ancient carbon and can smoulder through winter as 'zombie fires'. Vast remote areas are left to burn because they are classed as too costly to fight.
In the game
Siberian permafrost fires flares up as Land destroyed. The fix is a gesture: slash through the bulldozers to stop the clearing. Done right, it becomes Damage stopped 🌱. Finish all three steps of its chain in one round for a combo, or take your time in Explore mode: a place you fully restore stays green on your map for good.
🧭 Fly there and restore it▶ Play a 60-second round