LEO Network

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

Observations

Anchorage police kill black bear that was charging people in neighborhoods near Baxter and Northern Lights
Anchorage police killed a black bear that was charging people in neighborhoods near Northern Lights Boulevard and Baxter Road on Sunday night.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

What's making the water yellow in Kasitsna Bay?
Discoloration of water in bay. Is this an algal bloom?
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States
Mike Brubaker, Kris Holderied, Stephen Payton

There was a blue-green algae bloom in Yellowknife Bay. Here's what you should know about it
A blue-green algae bloom in Yellowknife Bay sparked worry for people's dogs. Here's what an aquatic quality scientist and a veterinarian have to say about it.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

Warm temps and wind fan Interior fires
An evacuation alert was also issued Friday for residents of the Lower Salcha River, from river mile 3 to 40. The Middle Salcha remains under a SET status, from river
Salcha, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

In the absence of fireweed
A 24-hour, 245 mile survey of fireweed plants from Anchorage to Seldovia revealed an almost complete absence of flowering.
Seldovia Village, Alaska, United States

Calm but overwhelmed: wildfire evacuees from Behchokǫ̀ start to arrive in Yellowknife
Behchokǫ̀, a community of about 2,000 people northwest of Yellowknife, issued an evacuation order shortly before 6 p.m Monday evening. A wildfire is burning about 25 kilometres to the east of the Behchokǫ̀, and 45 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife.
Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, Canada
CBC

In hot water: South Florida ocean tops 100 degrees; could be world record
A buoy in Manatee Bay, about 40 miles south of Miami, posted a temperature of 101.1 degrees at 6 p.m. after a morning low of 91 degrees. Temperatures remained at or above 100 from 5 p.m. through late evening. For comparison, the “ideal” temperature of a hot tub is 100 to 102 degrees, according to jacuzzi.com.
Miami, Florida, United States
Washington Post

Haze from Canada wildfires coming to Southcentral Alaska this week
The smoke is from numerous wildfires burning in Canada’s Yukon Territory.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Scientists say Tongass trees could bounce back from budworm infestation
Scientists with the U.S. Forest Service believe that the blackheaded budworm, whose numbers surged over the past three years, is now in decline.
Chichigof Islands
Alaska Public Media

Woman found dead in apparent bear encounter outside of Yellowstone National Park
The woman's body was found about eight miles outside the town of West Yellowstone, Mont., a gateway community that borders Yellowstone National Park.
West Yellowstone, Montana, United States
Boise State Public Radio

Phoenix summer heat keeps breaking records
Phoenix's blistering July heat wave has broken multiple records. There's little relief in sight, according to the National Weather Service. Every single day so far in the month of July, the high temperature — as recorded by the National Weather Service at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport — has been 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Phoenix New Times

What is the reason for large numbers of dead bees spotted in Inverness?
The spectacle of "hundreds" of dying or dead bees along the River Ness earlier this week led to a discussion on social media.
Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Humpback whale nearly knocks paddler off board near Whittier
Stand up paddle boarder near miss with humpback whale in Prince William Sound.
Whittier, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Bluefin tuna washes up far from home in Salish Sea
Joe Gaydos found a bluefin tuna washed up on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington state. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the fish usually roam the more temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Crescent Beach, Orcas Island, Washington, USA
CBC

Finland's bilberry harvests mediocre at best, nature institute forecasts
Frost exposure and poor pollination are behind expectations for a less than ideal season, according to research institute Luke. Bilberry patches at particular risk are in the regions of South Karelia, Kainuu, Keminmaa, Ylitornio, as well as certain areas of Central and South Ostrobothnia.
Lappeenranta, South Karelia, Finland
News

Catalonia Hits Record High Temperatures Amidst Heat Wave
Historical heat records shattered as temperatures soar above 45°C, prompting government precautions.
Darnius, Catalonia, Spain
Zenger News

79 wildfires burning in northern Quebec, 11 out of control
Wildfires are still burning in Quebec's northern zone, with 11 fires still considered out of control early Tuesday morning. However, the provincial forest fire prevention agency, SOPFEU, said rain since Sunday and rising humidity have helped stabilize the flames for the time being.
Chibougamau, Quebec, Canada
Montreal

Influenza found in pigs at Oakland County Fair
Officials say several pigs at the Oakland County Fair tested positive for the Influenza A virus, with is the causative agent of the swine flu.
Detroit, Michigan, United States

Boy, 9, died of asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke, parents say
Grieving parents who lost their nine-year-old boy last week say their son died after a severe asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke engulfing parts of British Columbia.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Signs of a wet summer are numerous around Cheney Lake
The rain in July has been persistent and in some cases intense. At Cheney Lake there is plenty of evidence about the wet summer.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Mountain biker dies after helping save dehydrated hikers in Jacumba
A mountain biker died Saturday after trying to help dehydrated hikers in an eastern San Diego valley, officials said.
Jacumba, California, United States
NBC 7 San Diego

Tsunami warning canceled following strong earthquake off Alaska Peninsula
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake initially triggered sirens and evacuations in communities including Sand Point and Kodiak.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Bird flu outbreak hits Barents Sea coast
Reports are coming in about hundreds of dead birds from Hammerfest in the west to Murmansk in the east. A zone with a radius of five kilometers is closed and guards are in place round-the-clock.
Vidyayevo, Murmansk, Russia
The Independent Barents Observer

Bird flu detected on Finnish fur farms for the first time
The exact virus type is still being determined, but measures are being taken to protect workers and prevent transmission to humans.
Kaustinen, Central Ostrobothnia, Finland
News

Avian influenza outbreak in Finnmark: a natural and environmental disaster
Avian influenza has now been detected along the entire coast of Finnmark. In Vadsø, the disease has not yet been detected, but almost 800 dead birds have already been removed. See video.
Vadsø, Finnmark Fylke, Norway
NRK

Fireweed blooms hindered by foam?
Foam or saliva-looking substance on seen on flowering plants like fireweed and yarrow.
Derek Sikes, Julia Salt, Brandie Radigan, Chyna Williams

Cold, wet weather delays lucrative peony harvest in Southcentral Alaska
Alaska is one of the only places in the world where peony flowers grow in the summer months. But the unusually cold, wet weather this year is delaying the blooms by weeks.
Willow, Alaska, United States
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Waterfalls now 'trickling': Low water brings changes to Hay River, N.W.T.
Impressive amounts of water normally rush over Alexandra Falls and Louise Falls in the N.W.T. But amid hot and dry conditions, These majestic waterfalls look nothing like they do at their full force.
Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Support

Observation Template