Smoky Skies To Continue In The Mother Lode

Sacramento, CA -- Lightning caused fires continue to devastate much of northern California.

Overall for the entire state, crews are battling 35 major fires. Fires directly affecting air quality in the Mother Lode include the North Mountain Fire in the Cherry Creek Drainage seven miles southwest of Hetch Hetchy and 22 miles northeast of Groveland in the Groveland Ranger District. That 1,228 acre fire is 25 percent contained this morning.

In addition the 2,000 acre Oliver Fire in the Ponderosa Basis near Chowchilla Mountain Rd. 20 miles southeast of Mariposa and 20 miles northwest of Oakhurst is contributing to the poor air quality. Containment for that fire remains at 20 percent.

A number of northern California communities are experiencing only two to six miles of visibility due to the extensive amount of smoke.

According to the National Weather Service high pressure will be building over the region over the next couple of days, but there will only be subtle wind changes. The NWS says thunderstorms could hit the Sierra Nevada by Friday.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com

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