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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Wildfire in Fish Creek Community Forest
A wildfire erupted in Fish Creek Community Forest within Fort St. John, B.C., on May 1, 2025, fueled by warm, dry, and windy conditions amid severe drought, highlighting the increasing risk of human-caused wildfires in urban-adjacent forests due to climate change and industrial practices.
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada

Third Far North First Nation evacuates due to flooding
Fort Albany First Nation declared a state of emergency and fully evacuated after flood warnings, marking the third remote Ontario Far North community to evacuate this spring.
Fort Albany First Nation, Ontario, Canada
CTV News Northern Ontario

Red-headed woodpecker
The red-headed woodpecker has been observed for the past week.
Aliceville, Alabama, United States

Ice goes out in Aniak as Kuskokwim breakup works its way toward Bethel
Breakup on the Kuskokwim River reached Aniak on April 30, roughly five days ahead of the median date, though unusually low water levels could increase the risk of ice jams downstream.
Aniak, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Bat infestation closes New Brunswick school for remainder of academic year
Tobique Valley High School in Plaster Rock, N.B., has been temporarily closed and its 134 students and 22 staff relocated to nearby schools after a persistent bat infestation.
Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Canada
CTV News

Non-toxic red tide blooming in Saanich Inlet
A bloom of non-toxic Noctiluca algae is lining Saanich Inlet’s shoreline; safe for swimmers and shellfish consumption so far. Scientists say the bloom is not producing toxins yet, but could as the water gets warmer. “This one is a bit early!” said Galbraith.
Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Polar bear attacks and injures skier in Nunavut national park
A skier was evacuated to an emergency shelter before being transported by snowmobile to Pangnirtung’s health centre. The incident occurred early Thursday morning and the skier is receiving treatment, with no update on their condition.
Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

Fireball streaks across Alaska skies
A bright fireball was captured streaking across the Southcentral Alaska sky on the morning of April 24, 2025, visible for about six seconds before disappearing behind trees.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Person rescued from car after rockslide in Lofoten
A large rockslide on the E10 at Henningsvær in Vågan, Lofoten, buried a car under boulders; emergency crews rescued the uninjured driver and the road will remain closed for days while cleanup continues.
Vågan, Nordland, Norway
NRK

3 Firefighters Killed as Wildfires Rage in Russia’s Far East
Three firefighters who went missing battling wildfires in the Zabaikalsky region of Russia’s Far East were found dead, prompting a criminal investigation amid a large-scale state of emergency.
Tungokochensky District, Zabaikalsky Region, Russia
The Moscow Times

Fire at Yellowknife landfill likely caused by wrongly tossed electronics
A small fire broke out at the Yellowknife landfill on April 22, likely ignited by improperly disposed electronics, but was quickly extinguished by city staff and the Yellowknife Fire Division.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Snow shortage in the mountains – guests get refunds from Skistar at three resorts
Faced with unusually mild conditions and a snow-poor season, Skistar has activated its snow guarantee, offering full refunds for bookings at Sälen, Trysil, and Vemdalen ski resorts this week.
Sälen, Dalarna, Sweden; Trysil, Innlandet, Norway; Vemdalen, Jämtland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Whale Stranding in Njarðvík, Borgarfjörður Eystri
A six‑meter whale, likely a northern bottlenose whale, washed ashore in Njarðvík at Borgarfjörður Eystri on Good Friday. Locals notified Icelandic environmental authorities, but the carcass may remain on the beach over Easter.
Njarðvík, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Iceland
Vísir

Exit to E4 Affected – Flooding
Flooding partially blocks traffic at the exit to the E4 highway near Ersnäs, south of Luleå. Unseasonably high temperatures have accelerated snowmelt, leading to overflow in the roadway.
Ersnäs, Luleå, Sweden
Norrbottens-Kuriren

Humpback whale spotted near Kessock Bridge and Beauly Firth
A humpback whale was sighted in the Beauly Firth near Inverness, passing under the Kessock Bridge and swimming close to Castle Stewart golf course before heading back out to sea. Whales this size in this area is quite a rare occurrence, adding that in case of such sightings, best practice would be to report them to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
Inverness, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

The Great Moose Migration Forced to Start at Record Time – Concern Over Missing the Moose
'The Great Moose Migration' will premiere a week earlier than planned, with the live broadcast starting at midnight to capture an unusually early and abundant gathering of moose due to a warm, early spring in Sweden.
Junsele, Ångermanland, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Skagafjörður pastures severely damaged after winter flooding in Héraðsvötn
A farmer in Skagafjörður faces significant losses, having to replant around 20% of their pastures after major winter floods. Héraðsvötn breached a protective embankment, burying the fields in sand and silt.
Sauðarkrokur, Northwest, Iceland
RÚV

Clumps of concern: Number of tar balls found near western NL shipwreck now at half a dozen
Six tar balls likely from the grounded MSC Baltic III have washed ashore at Cedar Cove, Newfoundland, but underwater inspections by the Canadian Coast Guard show no continuous leak from the ship.
Cedar Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
SaltWire

Major Fires in Siberia, Far East Mark Ominous Start to Russia's 2025 Wildfire Season
Forest fires have swept across Russia’s Siberian and Far East regions, signaling a harsh 2025 wildfire season with over 52 active blazes, widespread damage, and critical resource shortages.
Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai, Russia
The Moscow Times

Escarpment Unstable: Localized Erosion Prompts Whitehorse Airport Trail Closure
Localized erosion from the spring melt has led Whitehorse city officials to temporarily close portions of the airport area trails to safeguard the public.
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Yukon News

Wekweeti, Dettah ice roads now closed
Several seasonal ice roads in the Northwest Territories, including the Wekweeti and Dettah routes, have closed earlier than their long‐term averages, with additional roads on short notice closures due to warming temperatures.
Wekweeti, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Nunavut caribou that attacked heavy equipment tests positive for rabies
A caribou in Nunavut, which unusually attacked heavy equipment, tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to warn against handling or consuming meat from infected animals and to report any animals showing rabies symptoms.
Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Canada
Yukon News

Time for a bear: Baie Verte Peninsula town gets midday visit from a polar bear
Residents of Ming's Bight were alerted by a low-flying helicopter as a polar bear made an unexpected midday visit, prompting immediate safety precautions for children and locals.
Ming's Bight, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
SaltWire

Warm weather, rain force early closure of Dawson City's ice bridge
Dawson City's annual ice bridge on the Yukon River was closed early due to warm temperatures and rain creating unsafe conditions for travelers.
Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
CBC News

Hoopoe hoopla: 'In my 40 years of birding, I've never seen anything like this spring'
Record-breaking sightings of the exotic Eurasian hoopoe in southern Ireland have Irish birdwatchers buzzing, while native robins appear unsettled by their unexpected arrival.
Cork, Munster, Ireland
The Irish Times

April Storm Brings Avalanche Danger and Winter Weather
A powerful April storm in Anchorage, Alaska, has triggered high avalanche danger along with heavy snowfall and strong winds, leading to travel advisories and warnings from local authorities.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Boreal Owl––A hungry winter nomad from the Interior
From Unalakleet to Nome, enchanting, pint-sized boreal owls have been popping up in unexpected places.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Kodiak smashes temperature record with midweek heat wave
A mini-heat wave struck Kodiak on Tuesday, breaking a temperature record that had stood for 70 years since 1954.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

Nearly 1,000 Gallons of Diesel Fuel Spills Near Yukon River
Around 1,000 gallons of diesel leaked from a Brice Inc. fuel truck near the Yukon River Campground on April 4, prompting Alaska tribes to demand accountability and DEC to oversee cleanup to prevent river contamination.
Yukon River Campground, Yukon Flats, Alaska, United States
KTUU

Early arrival of Swans
In Chistochina, Alaska, two swans were observed arriving unusually early, flying close to a house, highlighting a pattern of early swan arrivals in the region.
Chistochina, Alaska, United States

Luleå municipality closes the ice rink for the season
Luleå kommun has closed its ice rink for the season after observing a rapid melt that reduced the ice thickness by 15 centimeters over two days, raising serious safety concerns.
Luleå, Norrbotten, Sweden
Kuriren

Warning: Reports of Severe Storm in Nordland and Troms
A rare April storm in northern Norway produced wind gusts up to 35 m/s and waves as high as 13 meters, causing widespread disruption including road closures and suspended ferry services in Nordland and Troms.
Bodø, Nordland, Norway
NRK

Thermometer hits 18C in Southern Finland on Wednesday
A weather station in Vihti, Southern Finland recorded an unprecedented 18°C on Wednesday, marking the highest reading for this time of year in recorded Finnish history, though colder weather is forecast later in the week.
Vihti, Uusimaa, Finland
Yle News

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