Ontario has recorded more than 15,000 lightning strikes in two days
The Ministry of Natural Resources fears more wildfires.
More than 15,000 lightning strikes were recorded in Ontario over a two-day period late in the week. Officials say such natural phenomena increase the threat of more forest fires in the province.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry issued a warning to Ontario residents on social media Saturday that stormy weather conditions and wildfires go "hand in hand".
"Thousands of lightning strikes have been observed across the province over the past 48 hours. Usually accompanied by rain, lightning fires can smoulder underground until surface conditions dry out enough to support open flames."
The ministry confirmed that 16,400 lightning strikes were recorded by the weather tracking system in just 2 days, but that includes strikes up to 100 kilometers outside the province of Ontario. Ontario experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the week.
Heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed much of southern Ontario, except Toronto, on Thursday. The eastern part of the province experienced even more severe weather, producing two tornadoes that damaged more than 100 homes in the Ottawa suburb of Barrhaven.
According to Environment Canada, lightning kills 2 to 3 Canadians a year. About 180 more people get injured.
