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.
This is the first time wilderness has been considered by the Forest Service on the Colville since 1984. Today, less than 3% of the Colville National Forest is Congressionally designated wilderness, protected for all Americans, representing less than 1% of all wilderness in Washington.: When the 1984 Wilderness Act passed, outside of the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, much of northeast Washington was left behind. Less than 3% of the Colville National Forest is currently designated as wilderness, representing less than 1% of all wilderness in Washington (which is mostly found in the Cascades).