CG lightning can occur with both positive and negative polarity. The polarity is that of the charge in the region that originated the lightning leaders. An average bolt of negative lightning carries an electric current of 30,000 amperes (30 kA), and transfers 15 coulombs of electric charge and 500 megajoules of energy.
Statewide, 19 wildfires greater than 1,000 acres in area are currently raging, according to the NIFC. The active fires have ravaged more than 630,000 acres, destroying approximately 200 homes and threatening another 12,000, according to Washington state officials.
1 Increased forest fires. 2  Dry and dying trees are a set-up for forest fires. 3  Large forest fires (more than 500 acres) have increased from an average of six per year in the 1970's to 21 per year in the early 21st century. 4  Forest fires release greenhouse gases and destroy the trees that can absorb CO 2 from the air.