First the sweltering heat, then the fires. Extreme weather events are giving no respite in western Canada, and in particular in the province of British Columbia. There are indeed at least 184 blazes that have broken out in the area, including the one that devastated the village of Lytton, the very place where the all-time maximum temperature record for the North American nation was set: a full 49.6 degrees Celsius.

The Canadian government deploys the air force to contain the fires

The government has dispatched the air force to the scene, with the aim of providing aerial support in an attempt to contain and extinguish the fires. The Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair, explained that the operation will run until 19 July. "At a time when climate change is leading to an increase in extreme weather events, our government will always be there to ensure the safety of Canadians," he said.

Bill Blair @BillBlair

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As climate change leads to more extreme weather events around the world, our government will always be there to keep Canadians safe. In response to devastating wildfires, we have approved a request for assistance for the province of British Columbia.

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Blair also stressed that the drought and extreme heat conditions "are unprecedented". And that, for this reason, "a long and difficult summer" is to be expected.

Two deaths confirmed in the fire that destroyed Lytton

Of the 184 fires that have been recorded, more than 40 broke out during the weekend alone. The authorities have also already ordered numerous evacuations, in order to prevent casualties from being added to the material damage.

Two deaths have already been confirmed in the Lytton fire. They are believed to be the parents of a man, a resident of the small town some hundreds of kilometres from Vancouver, who had told the broadcaster CBC that he had watched the tragedy unfold helplessly, after an electricity pylon fell on their home.