Canada is currently battling more than 180 wildfires in British Columbia, emergency services say
Lightning strikes have sparked dozens of wildfires in western Canada, following a record-breaking heatwave. Canada is currently battling more than 180 wildfires in British Columbia, emergency services say.
According to authorities, about 70 per cent of the active fires were likely caused by lightning strikes. For three days, Lytton in southern British Columbia had record-breaking heat, reaching up to 121 degrees Fahrenheit. The continuous heat resulted in rapid fires in Lytton, which destroyed 90 per cent of the town.
Weather monitoring systems have recorded about 12,000 lightning strikes north-east of Vancouver July 2. Hundreds of people have been forced to migrate due to these extreme events. Health officials say extreme heat is likely to have contributed to 719 sudden deaths since the end of June. This is three times the number that would be expected for the same period.
The northwest and the north-central parts of the US are also reeling under extreme high temperatures. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves.
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