Lytton village wiped out by wildfires amid record-breaking heat wave, Canada
The Canadian village of Lytton, which set an all-time national heat record this week, has been engulfed by fast-moving wildfires, officials said Thursday, July 1, 2021. Mayor Jan Polderman said the whole place is on fire, adding that two people were reported dead. Around 486 sudden deaths were reported across the province of British Columbia amid a record-breaking heat wave, with the toll expected to continue rising.
More than 1 000 people in and around the town were evacuated late Wednesday, June 30, as the fire spread through the community.
As of Friday, July 2, there were 62 new fires reported in the province, and the cause is now under investigation, B.C. Premier John Horgan told reporters.
"I cannot stress enough how extreme the fire risk is at this time in almost every part of British Columbia." He added, "It will take an extraordinary amount of effort to get that historic location back to what it was."
"There was little or no time to warn the community. In fact, it was the mayor himself that got the first whiff, and within minutes, the city was engulfed."
Brad Vis, a member of Parliament for Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon, said that 90 percent of the village is burned, including the center.
The fire inflicted extensive damage to B.C. Hydro stations and highways, limiting access to the village by road.
"Our poor little town of Lytton is gone," said resident Edith Loring Kuhanga. "This is so devastating– we are all in shock! Our community members have lost everything."
The fires were triggered by a record-breaking heat wave, which has been affecting the Pacific Northwest.
The heat was responsible for Lytton setting temperature records for three consecutive days this week, with the highest being 49.6 °C (121.3 °F).
B.C. Coroners Service had received reports of 486 sudden deaths between June 25 and June 30, which is double the average number expected.
The extreme heat in Canada has contributed to huge wildfires, such as one that's caused #Lytton to be evacuated.
In this satellite animation, you can see smoke from the #BCFires, and then huge storm clouds kick started by the heat. An absolutely awful situation. pic.twitter.com/LcidRAIJJm
— Simon Proud (@simon_sat) July 1, 2021
#LyttonBC #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/6s5pllTdXZ
— Jamie Rye (@tayho1977) July 1, 2021
At that intersection was a home, the Canada Post office, the BC Ambulance Service, and a hotel.
The MP for the area says 90% of Lytton has burned.
The search for loved ones who haven't registered at emergency centres is ongoing.https://t.co/bQSQhtgkeQ
— Justin McElroy (@j_mcelroy) July 1, 2021
Lytton, B.C. — the town that yesterday set a new all-time Canada heat record of 49.6°C (121°F) — is now on fire from blazes sparked by the heat wave.
We are in a #climateemergency. #actonclimatepic.twitter.com/H3diWrq4TO
— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) July 1, 2021
If you want a sense of how quickly the fires in #Lytton and #Kamloops grew, here is the last 12 hrs of satellite footage over southern BC. #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/xDIrlnkMns
— Ben Parsons (@Ben_Parsons__) July 1, 2021
Featured image credit: Jamie Rye
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Has anyone thought to prep for the Revelation?