Moscow, Jun 21 (AP) A Siberian town with the world's widest temperature range has recorded a new high amid a hear wave that is contributing to severe forest fires.

Russia's meteorological service said the temperature in Verkhoyansk hit 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 F) on Saturday. The town is located above the Arctic Circle in the Sakha Republic, about 4,660 kilometers (2,900 miles) northeast of Moscow.

Also Read | PepsiCo Plant in Beijing, That Produces Lays Chips, Temporarily Shut as 8 Workers Test COVID-19 Positive: Chinese Media.

The town of about 1,300 residents is recognized by the Guinness World Records for the most extreme temperature range, with a low of minus-68 degrees C (minus-90 F) and a previous high of 37.2 C (98.96 F..) Much of Siberia this year has had unseasonably high temperatures, leading to sizable wildfires.

In the Sakha Republic, more than 275,000 hectares (680,000 acres) are burning, according to Avialesokhrana, the government agency that monitors forest fires. (AP)

Also Read | Congress' Adhir Chowdhury Sees China Hand in Nepal's Anti-India Radio Broadcast in Border Region.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)