Canada: Wildfire amid record heat wave engulfs entire village, forces evacuation

Reportedly, Lytton this week recorded country's highest ever temperature of 49.6C (121.3F) and the heat erupted massive blazes in British Columbia

The fast-moving wildfire roared over the village of Lytton on Wednesday evening shocked climate scientists when temperature broke Canada’s national heat record for a third consecutive day.

Following the terrible blaze, the Lytton blaze prompted a mandatory evacuation order at 6 pm for the village of 250 people.

Lytton Mayor Jan Polderman in a news radio station stated, “The fire, it took maybe 15 minutes to engulf the whole town”.

“People, basically they just grabbed their keys, and ran out the door. That’s how quick the fire happened,” he added.

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

on tuesday, lytton, a canadian village in british columbia, set the record for the all-time highest temperature recorded in the entire country at 49.5 degrees celsius (121 degrees fahrenheit). yesterday evening, a fire took over the village. please read and retweet. pic.twitter.com/0YAopRN3P5

— atlas! LYTTON THREAD (@MCCDREAMM) July 1, 2021

In addition, several buildings were destroyed and unknown number of injured residents were taken out of the village by ambulance.

The onslaught of fires occurred on another historically hot day in western Canada, which brought new all-time records.

The fire also caused extensive damage to BC Hydro stations and highways, limiting access to Lytton by road.

On the other hand, the province recorded at least 486 sudden deaths over five days to Wednesday, nearly three times the usual number that would occur in the province over that period.