Carbon dioxide is the main contributor to climate change. Carbon monoxide is an air pollutant. It is still unclear whether the boreal forests in Siberia will act as carbon sources or as sinks. This study describes spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of atmospheric carbon dioxide and monoxide in Siberia derived from SCIAMACHY onboard ENVISAT and relates regional enhancements of atmospheric carbon to possible regional emission sources. Therefore data from SCIAMACHY were used and linked to burned areas from MODIS and to DMSP-OLS Stable Nighttime Lights to identify potential carbon sources. Carbon dioxide derived from SCIAMACHY in Siberia increased from 366 ppm in 2003 to 369 ppm in 2005. Areas with enhanced CO₂ mixing ratios agree relatively well with the densely populated southern Siberian regions. Atmospheric CO in Siberia is highly influenced by forest fires. Above some settlements enhanced parts of CO can be detected.