Canada heat dome: Fire swallows town with almost no warning ~

Military aircraft have been mobilized to help evacuate towns and fight more than 130 wildfires tearing across western Canada. Lightning strikes triggered by a record-breaking heat wave sparked the fires. Rescuers are now searching for missing people in Lytton, British Columbia. Roughly 1000 people fled the town, which was almost entirely wiped out by fire. For many, it was a chaotic escape.

Residents had moments to flee before the fire claimed their homes. Two people are so far believed to have died. This comes as a record breaking heatwave sweeps through the country and the north west of the US. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the heatwave shows there must be a continued commitment to reducing emissions and showing leadership on climate change The fire front in Lytton moved so quickly, residents had almost no warning before their town was engulfed in flames. The blaze ignited a day after the town sweltered through almost 50 degrees Celsius - breaking Canada's temperature record. Emergency workers are searching for missing residents, as the smoldering town remains unsafe to enter. The unprecedented heat wave and wildfires have left the country reeling - and worried this will become the new normal. More than 100 fires are still burning across western Canada, threatening other towns. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has convened an emergency response group, and promises to help communities recover.