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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

Bear attacked man in Allaikhovsky District
A brown bear attacked a man near the Elong River in Allaikhovsky District on 26 July 2025, causing serious injuries. The assault was sudden and unprovoked. Authorities have launched a cull to control the bear population and protect public safety.
Allaikhovsky District, Sakha Republic, Russia
Yakutia.Info

Humpback whale found dead in Gastineau Channel
A young male humpback whale calf was discovered dead drifting near Sandy Beach in Gastineau Channel and towed by U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA officials to undergo a necropsy.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Chilkat Valley News

Reindeer-herding enterprise in Anadyr District renews herd for first time in 37 years
More than 860 young reindeer were driven from the Chaunskoye breeding farm to the municipal enterprise 'Named after the First Revkom of Chukotka'; the 200+ km trek to the Ust-Bel tundra took two weeks and marks the enterprise's first herd renewal in 37 years after a long brucellosis quarantine was lifted.
Anadyrsky District, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia
ProChukotku

SOS Overloaded with Fire Alarms: "It Takes Longer to Get Help"
SOS Alarm in Norrbotten, Sweden is experiencing extreme call volumes from approximately 20 fires triggered by lightning in a heatwave, resulting in delayed emergency response times.
Norrbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Enormous fire rages in roadless land: 'Waiting for help from the sky'
A 250-hectare lightning-caused wildfire continues to burn in remote forest near Lillselet in Jokkmokk, with firefighters unable to extinguish it until rainfall arrives.
Jokkmokk, Norrbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Mjøsa and the Lågen are especially green this summer
The waters of Mjøsa and the Gudbrandsdalslågen River in Innlandet, Norway, have turned an unusually intense blue-green color this summer due to glacial meltwater carrying fine rock particles.
Lillehammer, Innlandet, Norway
NRK

‘Devastating’ spill in salmon habitat near Port Angeles, Washington: What to know
A fuel tanker crashed Friday off Highway 101, spilling some 3,000 gallons of fossil fuels into Indian Creek. The creek is a tributary of the Elwha River, which has for years been a model for salmon recovery efforts.
Port Angeles, Washington, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Caspian Sea Water Levels Drop to Historic Low
Water levels in the Caspian Sea have fallen to more than 29 meters below the Baltic Sea reference point, a historic low, exposing large areas of seabed in the northern region and threatening its ecosystems.
Caspian Sea
The Moscow Times

Blue-green algae blooms intensify as heatwave continues across Finland
A persistent heatwave in Finland is fueling dense blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea’s Gulf of Finland and Archipelago Sea, with freshwater sightings remaining stable.
Various coastal regions, Finland
Yle News

Ruuhijärvi Swimming Area in Salla Closed for Rest of Week to Remove Dangerous Water Hemlock
Salla’s Ruuhijärvi beach and rug‐washing area is closed through the weekend after a highly poisonous water hemlock was found on the shore, and will be removed by authorities.
Salla, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Fisheries and Oceans Canada investigating fish die-off on Iqaluit shores
Hundreds of fish, believed to be Arctic cod, were found belly-up along the shore of Iqaluit; Fisheries and Oceans Canada is investigating possible causes, including low-tide stranding.
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada
CBC News

Heat record from Nesbyen broken – Grong and Namsskogan record 13 consecutive tropical days
Grong and Namsskogan in Trøndelag have logged 13 straight days above 30 °C, breaking the 43-year Nesbyen record, amid a nationwide heatwave.
Grong and Namsskogan, Trøndelag, Norway
NRK

Hikers on Kungsleden Avoid Heat – Hike at Night
During a prolonged heatwave with temperatures above 30°C (86 F) in Vindelfjällen, hikers on Kungsleden are shifting their treks to early morning and nighttime to escape daytime heat.
Hemavan, Västerbotten, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

Multiple Fires After Lightning Strikes This Evening
Thunderstorms with heavy lightning have ignited several wildfires across Vestland, prompting weather warnings and emergency responses in Hardanger, Gloppen, Kvinnherad, and Øygarden.
Vestland, Norway
NRK

Campground Flooded by Water: "Many Caravans Must Be Moved"
A severe downpour on Öland delivered 47 mm of rain in under 10 hours, flooding parts of Möllstorps camping and forcing relocation of about 20 caravans and purchase of larger water pumps.
Färjestaden, Öland, Sweden

Municipal gardener urges community help to fight invasive lupines in Hammerfest
Municipal gardener Grete Larsen in Hammerfest warns that invasive Alaska lupine is crowding out native vegetation and asks residents to help remove flowers and seed pods.
Hammerfest, Finnmark, Norway
iFinnmark

Multiple wildfires blaze across Lapland, helicopters assist in firefighting efforts
Multiple wildfires across Finnish Lapland this week prompted dozens of rescue responses, with Border Guard and Defence Forces helicopters assisting amid dry conditions and an open fire ban.
Yle News

Venomous jellyfish invading west Swedish beaches
A venomous lion’s mane jellyfish has been sighted on several west Swedish beaches between Strömstad and Malmö, delivering powerful stings that can cause breathing problems.
West Coast, Sweden

Itchy rashes after swimming in lake in Gällivare – suspected swimmers' itch
Gällivare municipality warns of suspected cases of swimmers’ itch after bathers developed itchy skin eruptions following a dip in Abborrtjärn.
Gällivare, Norrbotten County, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten

No doubt there's a drought — scientist says N.L. water levels are historically low
Water levels across Newfoundland are at record lows due to an ongoing drought and rising temperatures driven by climate change, leading to river closures and drying wells.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
CBC News

Caught 2000 pink salmon in a single seine cast
Fisherman Edgar Olsen hauled in over 2,000 invasive pink salmon in one seine cast during trial fishing at the Vesterelva estuary in Nesseby, distributing about half to locals and sending the rest to Lerøy.
Nesseby, Troms og Finnmark, Norway
NRK Troms og Finnmark

Several wildfires in Lapland in recent days – so far resources have been sufficient, but nature is bone dry
Lapland’s rescue services and volunteer fire brigades have responded to dozens of wildfires and smoke reports since Tuesday amid very dry terrain and lightning strikes igniting new fires, though current resources have been sufficient.
Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Forest fire area in Yakutia increases to 1,500 ha
The total area of active forest fires in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) grew from 265 ha to 1,462.5 ha on July 22, with 10 fires being fought by 306 personnel and 14 units of equipment.
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia
Yakutia.Info

Algal Bloom in the Archipelago – Municipality Urges Avoiding Swimming
Sustained high temperatures have led to algal blooms at several sites in the Haparanda Archipelago, and local authorities are advising people to avoid bathing.
Haparanda, Norrbotten, Sweden
Norrländska Socialdemokraten (NSD)

Multiple Forest Fires After Lightning Strikes
Several wildfires broke out across Överkalix and other parts of Norrbotten following a thunderstorm and lightning strikes on July 22, 2025, overwhelming local emergency services.
Överkalix, Norrbotten, Sweden

DOC investigating after dead stoat found on Rakiura/Stewart Island
New Zealand’s Department of Conservation is probing how an invasive stoat appeared and died on the previously predator-free Rakiura/Stewart Island.
Stewart Island / Rakiura, Southland, New Zealand
NZ Herald

Rare Basking Shark in Faxaflói Bay
A rare basking shark was spotted during an Elding whale watching tour in Faxaflói Bay, marking its first appearance in the bay in five years according to the company.
Faxaflói Bay, Southwest, Iceland
Vísir

Tyva Declares State of Emergency Over Growing Wildfires
Authorities in Russia’s Tyva Republic declared a state of emergency after eight wildfires grew to over 324 hectares, banning public entry to forests.
Tyva Republic, Russia
The Moscow Times

Comox Lake wildfire grows to 4.5 hectares, still considered out of control
A BC Wildfire Service update reports that a wildfire near Comox Lake in B.C. grew to 4.5 hectares overnight as crews and aircraft work to contain the out-of-control blaze, while a separate 3-hectare fire near Nanaimo River Road also remains uncontained.
Comox Lake, Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

The tundra is burning
In July 2025, lightning-triggered wildfires near the Kobuk River in Northwest Alaska threatened local homes and the tundra ecosystem. The author returned by small plane to set up firebreaks and sprinkler systems with fire crews to protect his sod house and surrounding caribou habitat.
Kotzebue, Northwest Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Sun kinks may continue to disrupt train traffic
Over the weekend, train traffic on the Iron Ore Line was halted for nearly 24 hours due to sun-induced track kinks (“solkurvor”), a phenomenon that Trafikverket warns could recur on hot days.
Gällivare, Norrbotten, Sweden
NSD (Norrländska Socialdemokraten)

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