| Forest fires are known to release radioactivity, in particular radioactive Caesium, stored in the burning biomass. Based on high-sensitivity particulate radionuclide measurements performed as part of the monitoring system of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the caesium source term for the large fires burning in the European part of Russia in summer 2010 is estimated and compared with values from the literature. Furthermore, an estimate of the potential impact of burning in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is provided, demonstrating that such fires would not pose a large-scale radiological threat to Europe. |