Forestry activities have also played a significant role, with over 1.10 million hectares of tree cover loss and 351 million metric tons of CO2e emissions in the same year. The data indicates a trend where the rate of tree cover loss has been increasing, with the highest recorded loss in 2021 at over 6.50 million hectares. Despite these challenges, the overall change in tree cover represents a relatively small percentage of the total forested area, suggesting that Russia's forests are still largely stable.
The latest incident in Zabaykalsky Krai serves as a reminder of the persistent threat wildfires pose to Russia's forests and the global climate. As the country continues to address these environmental challenges, the focus on sustainable forestry practices and wildfire management remains critical.