Does a spooky event in New England 238 years ago hold the clue to the eerie blackness that descended one week ago in Siberia?

With smoke having blown as far as the US and Canada, experts now say 'the trend is positive' in controlling fires raging from the Urals to the Pacific.

But is climate change to blame, or local officials who went on vacation instead of fighting fires?

Almost 3 million hectares on fire, including Arctic, with fumes having hit area larger than European Union.

Ecology groups warn that the extent of fires in forests and taiga has been misreported by up to 159 times compared with satellite evidence of the grim facts.

Residents complain of 'severe carbon monoxide poisoning' as satellite images show blanket of smoke across eastern Siberia.

Desert-like landscapes replaced full-flowing water deep enough for heavy cargo ships.

Greenpeace claims up to 300 times more territory in Siberia is ablaze than officially acknowledged.

Predators seek food in villages all around Siberia as climate expert warns of worse fires each year due to soaring rise in temperatures, 10C above average.