Lightning Strike Fire In Calaveras County

West Point, CA – A lightning strike fire from Thursday’s thunderstorms that passed through the Mother Lode was extinguished quickly this afternoon.

Cal Fire dispatch reports crews and a Columbia helicopter were called out around 1 p.m. after smoke was reported in the West Point area.  When crews arrived on the scene, they found a tree and a small patch of vegetation burning along Summit Level Road.  It is believed that the lighting struck the tree during yesterday’s rainfall and smoldered overnight, according to dispatch.  Crews were able to put the flames out in about a half hour and full containment was called at 3:20 p.m. Cal Fire says the size of the vegetation fire was a 10 by 10 foot spot.

The helicopter continued to fly over the area looking for other hot spots but found none and returned to base around 3:30 p.m.