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.
Death toll in Washington landslide rises to 14, number of missing unknown. P. Solomon Banda and Phuong Le, The Associated Press. Published Monday, March 24, 2014 8:42AM EDT. Last Updated Monday, March 24, 2014 10:29PM EDT. OSO, Wash. -- Authorities say they still don't know how many people remain missing from a deadly Washington state mudslide.