Lightning Fires Across Sierra

Sacramento, CA — Numerous lightning fires have been reported this week across the Northern Sierra Nevada.

So far, none have been reported in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. CAL Fire has responded to 29 lightning fires in the state, the Forest Service has had an additional 79 and BLM has reported 19. The largest incident, the Constantia Fire in Lassen County, has burned over 1,700 acres.

Officials say the worst month for lightning strikes could still be ahead.

“August is really the ‘lightning month’ when it comes to the Sierra Nevada,” says Pat Kaunert with the Stanislaus National Forest. “It is the month that we typically get most of our fires on the western slope.”

CAL Fire estimates that there were 3,500 lightning strikes in Northern California between Sunday and Monday.

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.