Speed Reading — Arctic Wildfires - Level 1 — 100 wpm 

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There are hundreds of wildfires all across the Arctic Circle, in Greenland, Siberia, Scandinavia and Alaska. The smoke can be seen from space. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as anywhere on Earth. It is also having its worst wildfire season ever. In Alaska, there are 400 fires out of control. The Greenland ice sheet has started melting a month earlier than usual. Meteorologists say the Arctic fires are unheard of in history.

Scientists say the fires could affect global warming. One explained what is causing the fires. He said: "Temperatures in the Arctic have been increasing at a much faster rate than the global average, and warmer conditions encourage fires to grow." Dry ground, lightning and strong winds caused the fires to spread. The methane below the ice is now on fire. This is releasing lots of CO2 into the atmosphere. The fires are destroying habitat and killing animals.

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