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.
Pause the reading of the page. We are Washington state's largest on-call fire department. Our 1,300 permanent and temporary employees fight fires on more than 13 million acres of private and state-owned forest lands. Our fire protection and safety equipment requirements help your local fire district respond to wildfires.