Canada: Wildfire destroys town of Lytton amid heat wave
July 2, 2021
Over 90% of the small town town in British Columbia was destroyed, with another 1,000 people evacuated in the province. Prior to the fire, Lytton had seen three consecutive days of record high temperatures.
Some 1,000 people were forced to flee the town Image: 2 RIVERS REMIX SOCIETY/VIMEO.2RMX.CA/REUTES
The town suffered 62 new fires within 24 hours. Authorities said 90% of Lytton had burned down, including the town center, with the town's 250 residents evacuated.
In total, over 1,000 people were forced to flee across the province due to the fires.
The town lies 260 kilometers (161 miles) northeast of the city of Vancouver.
Much of Lytton was destroyed after fires tore through the townImage: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP/picture alliance
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that an Incident Response Group would go over the situation, and promised assistance.
Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said Canadian forces were "ready to support residents as we move forward in the next steps," in a tweet.
The fire broke out on Wednesday evening. Mayor Jan Polderman told local media that he saw white smoke on the southern edge of the town and within 15 to 20 minutes, flames had taken over the whole town.
Canada's record heat wave — in pictures
Canadians are looking for ways to escape the heat, as record-breaking temperatures cause a surge in deaths, and 911 calls overwhelm police forces.
Image: Don MacKinnon/AFP/Getty Images
Record-breaking temperatures
A girl cools off at a community water park in Richmond, British Columbia. Schools and COVID-19 vaccination centers were closed earlier in the week as community cooling centers opened to help residents cope with the unprecedented heat wave.
Image: Don MacKinnon/AFP/Getty Images
Flames consume Lytton
Lytton, which experienced Canada's all-time record high temperature of 49.6C (121.28F) degrees this week, was consumed by a wildfire Thursday. Officials said over 90% of the town was destroyed.
Scores of people are believed to have died due to the extreme heat. In the province of British Columbia alone, the chief coroner received reports of at least 486 "sudden and unexpected deaths" from June 23 to June 28. Under normal circumstances, around 165 people would die over the same period.
Image: Don Mackinnon/AFP/Getty Images
Days of sweltering heat
Environment Canada warns the heat wave will not lift for days, though parts of British Columbia and Yukon could see relief sooner.
Image: Darryl Dyck/empics/picture alliance
'Heat dome' causing problems
Water parks have provided much-needed relief during a sweltering week. Meteorologists say the extraordinary heat was caused by a dome of high pressure over the Northwest. The situation is also aggravated by the effects of climate change, which are increasing the frequency of extreme weather events.
Image: Jeff Mcintosh/The Canadian Press/ZUMA Press/picture alliance
Temperatures 'like never before'
Police in Vancouver redeployed dozens of officers and asked the public to call 911 only for emergencies because heat-related deaths had depleted front-line resources and delayed response times. "Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,'' Sgt. Steve Addison said. "Our officers are stretched thin."
Image: TWITTER CANADIANBYLUCK/REUTERS
Last record set in 1937
Prior to the start of the heat wave, the historical high in Canada was 45 Celsius (113 Fahrenheit), set in Saskatchewan in 1937.
Image: Chad Hipolito/REUTERS
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Lytton had recorded three consecutive days of record heat prior to the fire.
On Tuesday, temperatures crossed 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
Heat wave warnings have been issued for the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and parts of the Northwest Territories, and now northern Ontario.
Heat wave in North America
Fires broke out in other parts of British Columbia as well, with lightning igniting some of them.
Hot and dry weather coupled with strong winds have also exacerbated fire conditions on the US West Coast.
