--- title: "Underground “Zombie Fires” Continue to Burn Even at 74 Degrees Below Zero" description: "Even when temperatures drop to 75 degrees Celsius below zero (-103 Fahrenheit), massive \"zombie fires\" continue to burn below parts of Siberia." date: "2021-12-09" modified: "2021-12-09" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/zombie-fires-burn-cold" categories: - "Climate Change" - "Environment" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "climate change" - "siberia" - "the digest" --- # Underground “Zombie Fires” Continue to Burn Even at 74 Degrees Below Zero ![Even when temperatures drop to 75 degrees Celsius below zero (-103 Fahrenheit), massive "zombie fires" continue to burn below parts of Siberia.]() *\Image: The Siberia Times\* ## Zombie Fires Even when temperatures drop to 75 degrees Celsius below zero — that's a startling -103 Fahrenheit, some of the frostiest temperatures on Earth — massive "zombie fires" continue to burn below parts of Siberia, [*United Press International* reports](). The area contains some of the coldest permanently inhabited places on the planet, like Oimaykon, a rural jurisdiction populated by only around 500 people. Despite historically low temperatures, a number of wildfires, also known as peat fires, are still burning tucked beneath a deep layer of snow and ice. In fact, these fires can burn for months or even years. A video shared by *The Siberian Times* shows one such fire, casting pillars of smoke out of small holes in the snow. https://twitter.com/siberian_times/status/1466306548536201217 ## Ice and Fire The snow and ice acts as a thermal insulator and barrier, protecting the scorching temperatures below in a bizarre weather phenomenon. Just like their summer counterparts, these wildfires release plenty of greenhouse gases into the environment. In fact, the melting of permafrost only adds even more carbon dioxide to the mix, as *NBC*-affiliated station [*KXAN* points out](). Making matters worse, climate change is drying out otherwise fire-resistant vegetation, allowing peat to act as a fuel. In fact, Oymaykon experienced record temperatures this summer, reaching [88.8 degrees Fahrenheit](). It's a matter of extremes, in other words. The region is experiencing record colds right now, with temperatures dropping to -76 degrees Fahrenheit, forcing schools to close, *The Siberian Times* reports. And the cold isn't about to let up, either. **READ MORE:** ['Zombie fires' burn despite temperatures plunging to 74 degrees below zero]() \[*United Press International*\] **More on Siberia:** *[Scientists Warn of Methane "Time Bomb" in Siberia]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()