Extreme heatwave in Canada triggers unprecedented wildfires and over a billion marine life casualties
In a series of devastating events, a relentless heatwave and wildfires have been wreaking havoc across Western North America, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes and causing widespread destruction.
The small town of Lytton in British Columbia experienced record-breaking temperatures of 49.6 degrees Celsius, with the heatwave also affecting neighboring provinces, including Alberta and Northwest Territories, as well as parts of the US like Washington and Oregon. A wildfire in Lytton has left 90% of the town destroyed, resulting in two confirmed fatalities.
Over the past 24 hours, 62 new fires have been recorded in British Columbia. The extreme heat and abnormally high temperatures are believed to have contributed to the increased number of fatalities. Health officials have reported over 700 sudden deaths in the Western province during the heatwave.
The heatwave has not only impacted human lives but also marine ecosystems. Coastline marine animals, such as mussels, clams, starfish, and other invertebrates, are significantly affected. The significant loss of marine animals, particularly mussels and clams, could affect sea water quality in the area. It is estimated that the heatwave in Canada will cause the death of over 1 billion marine animals along the Salish Sea coastline.
Climate change is linked to the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves around the world. In fact, Canada experienced a record high number of 710,000 lightning strikes within a 15-hour period, which played a significant role in the increase of forest fires in the Western province.
The US has not been spared from the wrath of these wildfires. The 2020 California wildfires scorched almost five million acres of land and killed at least 35 people, marking some of the worst wildfires in recent years.
As the world grapples with these climate-related disasters, no specific Canadian organization or institution is currently investigating the possible human cause of the Lytton wildfire during the recent heatwave in British Columbia. However, it is expected that heat waves will become a more common weather event.
[Image by EO photographer Justin Sullivan]
This article serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to combat climate change and prevent such catastrophic events in the future.
