LEO Network

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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

Human Disturbance and Shorebird Decline in the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary
Human disturbances, such as off-leash dogs and increased tourism, are causing a decline in shorebird populations at the Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary, disrupting their critical stopover habitat and reflecting broader global biodiversity challenges.
Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Large egg producer detects bird flu in flock: All hens to be culled
High-pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed on 4 September at an egg farm in Hadsel, Nordland, Norway, with 7,500 laying hens to be culled. Authorities established 3 km and 10 km control zones; human infection risk is assessed as very low.
Hadsel, Nordland, Norway
Nordlys

West Nile detected in Grant County mosquitos
West Nile virus was detected in mosquito samples north of Moses Lake, Grant County, Washington—the first county detection since 2023. Mosquito control increased larvicide and adulticide treatments; officials advise prevention steps and note no recent human cases in the county.
Moses Lake, Grant County, Washington, United States
The Spokesman-Review

100-ton rock block fell onto Ofoten Line: ‘It’s so large it must be blasted’
A roughly 100‑ton rock fell onto the Ofoten Line in Norddalen near Narvik. Bane NOR is securing the area and plans to blast the boulder to clear the tracks.
Narvik, Nordland, Norway
Fremover

B.C. hits Canadian September heat record again as smoke warnings persist
British Columbia set a new national September heat record with 40.8 C in Cache Creek, as wildfire smoke triggers widespread air-quality alerts. Multiple heat warnings remain in effect across the province.
Cache Creek, British Columbia, Canada
CHEK

Major B.C. routes including Coquihalla Highway closed due to wildfires
Wildfires forced closures of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt and Highway 20 east of Bella Coola in B.C., as the Mine Creek fire grew rapidly and jumped Highway 5. Evacuation orders and alerts were issued, and air quality degraded across the province.
Coquihalla Highway corridor (Hope–Merritt), British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Not normal: Ashcroft sets record for hottest September day ever in Canada
Ashcroft, British Columbia hit 40.8 C (105 F) on Sept. 3, setting the hottest September temperature ever recorded in Canada. A regional weather observer called the late-season heat highly unusual and linked it to a blocking high-pressure system.
Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Great white shark feasting on whale in Digby Neck adds twist to whale watching season
Whale watchers in Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, witnessed a great white shark feeding on a dead humpback whale, leading to daily shark sightings in early September. Guides also reported an endangered leatherback sea turtle and noted warmer waters are changing species seen in the Bay of Fundy.
Digby Neck, Nova Scotia, Canada
SaltWire

With N.S. brooks and streams drying up, some fish are struggling
A provincewide drought in Nova Scotia has dried up brooks and streams, stranding trout and white suckers and stressing native fish, while a woods ban limits access to assess impacts. Warmer water favors invasive chain pickerel, and restoration work is paused; Atlantic salmon migration is also being blocked by low flows.
Cambridge, Nova Scotia, Canada
CBC News

Heavy rain eases, but the risk of landslides persists in the Eastfjords
Heavy rain in East Iceland has eased, but the Icelandic Meteorological Office warns that landslide risk remains in the Eastfjords following several minor slides yesterday. Travelers are urged to use caution near steep slopes and stream channels.
Seyðisfjörður, Eastfjords, Iceland
Iceland Monitor

“I didn’t hear the usual grinding of ice”
A Norwegian research vessel reached the North Pole and found extensive open water and thin sea ice, allowing unusually easy navigation compared to 30 years ago. Scientists warn the rapid loss of Arctic sea ice is unprecedented and threatens polar bear habitat.
North Pole, Arctic Ocean, International Waters
The Barents Observer

State issues alert for toxic shellfish found in Kachemak Bay
Alaska health officials issued an alert after wild shellfish from Kachemak Bay’s inner bay tested above regulatory limits for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Residents are warned not to harvest or eat untested wild shellfish; monitoring and test results are being posted by the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Homer News

Rovaniemi resident surprised by globeflower blooming in September — botany professor is, too
In Rovaniemi, a resident observed globeflowers (Trollius) blooming again in early September, an unusual second flowering for this early-summer species. The rare late bloom drew comment from a botany professor.
Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Fort Providence ordered to evacuate as wildfire bears down
An out-of-control wildfire within two kilometres of Fort Providence prompted a full evacuation order, with residents directed to Hay River as winds threaten to push flames toward the community.
Fort Providence, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Basking sharks captured on video off Nairn in rare sighting
Up to 10 basking sharks were filmed close to shore off Nairn in the Moray Firth, offering rare, close-up views to tour passengers and beachgoers. The late-summer sightings featured large sharks circling near idle boats in calm water.
Nairn, Highland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Seven salmon confirmed as farmed escapees
Icelandic authorities report that 7 of 22 salmon submitted for testing were confirmed as farmed escapees, caught in several North/West Iceland rivers. Tracing suggests six fish share a common origin in Dýrafjörður; investigations continue and anglers are asked to turn in suspect fish whole for analysis.
Búðardalur, Western Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Rising river floods Allakaket, prompts disaster declaration for area
Heavy rain caused the Koyukuk River to flood Allakaket, prompting Alaska’s governor to declare a disaster, evacuations of residents, and emergency aid operations. Nearby areas also faced high water, with Denali National Park campgrounds briefly reopening before being closed again.
Allakaket, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Whatì issues evacuation order as wildfire threat grows
Whatì, Northwest Territories declared a state of emergency and ordered a full evacuation as a nearby wildfire threatens the community. Residents were told to register at the Whatì Cultural Centre before leaving, with reception centres set up in Behchokǫ̀ and Yellowknife.
Whatì, Northwest Territories, Canada
CKLB Radio

Mining shock in Kiruna – a further 6,000 must move
LKAB says ground deformation from the Kiruna iron ore mine will extend farther than previously forecast, forcing relocation of about 2,700 homes and 6,000 residents. The expanded impact zone must be replaced within 10 years at an estimated cost of SEK 22.5 billion.
Kiruna, Norrbotten County, Sweden
Fremover

Bad air quality prompts advisory from chief public health officer
Wildfire smoke drove air quality in Yellowknife to high-risk levels, prompting Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola to issue an advisory urging residents to limit outdoor activity and take health precautions. The advisory highlights vulnerable groups and directs people to the Air Quality Health Index for up-to-date information.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

Major emergency response in Nuuk due to fuel spill
Police and fire crews responded Thursday night to a large jet fuel spill at Polar Oil near Nuuk’s harbor. About 7,069 liters leaked but were contained in a spill basin and mostly pumped back; police are investigating the cause.
Nuuk, Sermersooq, Greenland
Sermitsiaq.AG

Massive Iceberg Spotted Near Iceland Triggers Shipping Warning
A huge iceberg—about 300 m long, 300 m wide and 75 m high—was spotted in a key shipping route north of Iceland, prompting a warning to mariners. The Icelandic Coast Guard located it roughly 42 nautical miles north of Hornbjarg during an aerial patrol.
Hornbjarg, Westfjords, Iceland
Iceland Review

Airline: Kaldoaivi accident caused by wind gust; captain got life jackets to everyone
Arctic AirService says a strong wind gust in the Kaldoaivi wilderness caused its floatplane to tip over while taxiing on a lake. The captain evacuated everyone, provided life jackets, and the group swam to shore; one person was checked at Kirkenes hospital.
Inari, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Road under water: Dozens of tourists assisted
Rescue teams assisted dozens of travelers in the Fjallabak/Landmannalaugar highlands as heavy rain and high water submerged roads. Advisories to avoid the area appear to have worked, with few vehicles present and all travelers getting through safely.
Landmannalaugar, Southern Region, Iceland
mbl.is

Found large amounts of cloudberries
Researchers report unusually abundant cloudberries in Svalbard this year, with monitoring at Colesbukta indicating the berries did well. The exact locations are being kept secret and picking is not allowed due to protections.
Colesbukta, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

The Dalton Highway is cut off after record rains hammered Interior Alaska
Record rains in Interior Alaska overwhelmed culverts and flooded the Dalton Highway near the Yukon River, closing the road between mileposts 112 and 156. Crews are responding, but there is no reopening estimate.
Dalton Highway near Yukon River, Interior Alaska, United States
KUAC.org

Feared that another house will be washed out to sea
A sheep house east of Vík í Mýrdal was washed out to sea amid heavy surf, and rescuers fear a nearby horse stable could be lost at the next high tide as winds strengthen. No animals were inside; valuables were cleared and yellow weather warnings are in effect for South and Southeast Iceland.
Vík í Mýrdal, South Iceland, Iceland
mbl.is

Woman mauled by bear near her Kenai Peninsula home
A 36-year-old woman was seriously injured in a suspected brown bear attack near her home on Chinook Drive in Kenai early Tuesday. Authorities are searching for the bear and urging residents to stay vigilant and secure attractants.
Kenai, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Eel record in the Dalälven — highest count in 50 years
A record 3,000–4,000 European eels have been counted this year in the eel ladder at Älvkarleby on the lower Dalälven— the highest level in 50 years. Researchers at SLU call the surge remarkable but say it’s too early to know if the rebound will last.
Älvkarleby, Uppsala County, Sweden
SVT Nyheter

“Once in a lifetime to see this” – a rare hoopoe landed in a Pello resident’s yard
A Eurasian hoopoe, rare in Finland, has been visiting a yard in Pello, Lapland, for a week, likely carried north by southerly airflows.
Pello, Lapland, Finland
Lapin Kansa

Bear attacked a hunter in Posio — police say the hunt was legal
During a bear hunt in Posio, Finland, a bear attacked a hunter. Police said the hunt was legal; details were still limited as the investigation began.
Posio, Lapland, Finland

Low water impacting salmon run
The Chinook salmon run in the Napanee River is being impacted by unusually low water levels.
Napanee, Ontario, Canada

Iceland on Alert as Glacial Waters Surge from Langjökull
A sudden glacial outburst flood from a marginal lake near Langjökull sent water into the Svartá and downstream into the Hvítá in Borgarfjörður, peaking above 400 cm overnight before easing to just over 300 cm. Authorities warn further river flooding is possible in coming days, with increased landslide risk in southeast Iceland.
Húsafell, Borgarfjörður, Iceland
Iceland Review

Fairbanks sets rainfall record as rivers rise across the Interior
Fairbanks received 1.52 inches of rain in three days, setting a daily record on Aug. 24 and pushing area rivers toward crests early this week. The National Weather Service expects additional rain later in the week, with officials urging residents to prepare for high water.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Northerners asked to be bear aware after four animals culled in Norman Wells
After four habituated black bears were killed in Norman Wells on Aug. 23–24, GNWT officials urged residents to secure attractants and follow bear-safety practices. The community has logged 29 bear-related calls this summer.
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada
NNSL Media

High winds knock out electric lines, tumble trees in Fairbanks
A windstorm in Fairbanks on Aug. 23, 2025 felled trees and caused widespread power outages, with more than 7,300 meters down at the peak. Crews cleared a large spruce that blocked Cushman Street and restored most electricity within a day.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

High lead levels confirmed in water at third Yellowknife school
Testing found lead above Health Canada’s limit in several classroom sinks at N.J. Macpherson School in Yellowknife, the third city school affected. The N.W.T. chief public health officer ordered daily flushing and alternate drinking water while fixes are pursued.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC News

Considered sinking it with gunfire
Norway’s Coast Guard considered using a machine gun to sink a drifting mooring buoy near Svalbard before eventually hauling the rusty steel structure aboard. The incident highlights marine debris hazards in Arctic waters.
Hinlopen Strait, Svalbard, Norway
Svalbardposten

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