Firefighters on the Plumas National Forest responded to several more lightning fires yesterday as thunderstorm activity increased over the area from early afternoon through the evening.
Work continued overnight and firefighters are responding to new fires today.
There are now lightning fires on all three Ranger Districts, with Feather River receiving lightning during yesterday’s storms. So far there have been 23 confirmed lightning fires across the Forest. The largest is approximately 1.75 acres. Of the 23 fires, 14 fires are contained.
No communities or structures are threatened at this time.
Most of yesterday’s storms were wet, with areas of heavy rain and flooding reported, although there were reports of dry lightning on the Feather River Ranger District.
There is a continued chance of thunderstorms today through Wednesday. The National Weather Service extended the Flood Watch that includes the eastern half of the Plumas National Forest through 9 p.m. today.
While the rain helps, it is expected that holdover lightning fires will become visible in the coming days, especially as a drier pattern is predicted later this week through the weekend.
“Over the past three days, the Plumas has received hundreds of lightning strikes across the forest and we are expecting even more lightning fires in the coming days and weeks,” said Plumas National Forest Fire Management Officer Martin Senter.
Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm. It can take several days of dry and warm weather for these fires to become visible.
Firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days.
“Our firefighters are working hard and doing an excellent job, responding quickly and working to keep fires small in sometimes challenging locations,” Senter said. “Area residents and visitors can help firefighters by calling 911 to report suspected wildfires and being careful with anything that can spark a wildfire so we can continue to focus on lightning fire location and response.”
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
