The Plumas National Forest took hundreds of lightning strikes in less than 24 hours from thunderstorms that formed late yesterday morning and continued with unusually strong storms overnight and early this morning.
The storms yesterday evening were generally wet, with some areas receiving heavy rain. However, more lightning fires are likely from all of the activity.
Firefighters responded to six new lightning fires across the Forest since yesterday evening. The three new fires on the Beckwourth Ranger District are contained, bringing the total number of fires since August 24 up to 42, with 40 confirmed lightning fires.
The largest fire of the 42 is approximately 2.75 acres. No communities or structures are threatened at this time.
There is a continued risk of thunderstorms in the forecast this week through Friday. A substantial cool down this weekend with drying conditions and increased winds may make holdover fires more active and visible.
Holdover lightning fires can smolder for days and even weeks following a thunderstorm. It can take several days of dry weather for these fires to become visible. Area residents and visitors are asked to report suspected wildfires by calling 911.
“The strong thunderstorms early this morning also brought heavy rain to some locations, which may help mitigate some of the lightning we received,” said Plumas National Forest Fire Management Officer Martin Senter. “Today firefighters are actively responding to new fires as they are discovered.”
In addition to local Forest firefighters, cover resources and state and local firefighting agencies are helping ensure a strong response. Last night firefighters on the Feather River Ranger District provided additional response to incidents on the Tahoe National Forest, CAL FIRE Butte County Fire Department and CAL FIRE Nevada-Eldorado Unit.
“Public and firefighter safety is our highest priority and working together with state and local firefighting agencies helps us all accomplish that,” Senter said. “There were communities on the west side of the Forest last night immediately impacted by lightning and we are more than happy to be able to help our neighbors.”
Firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days.
The Plumas National Forest remains under Stage II Fire Restrictions, with campfires only allowed in designated recreation areas with a campground host present.
“Even with recent rain from thunderstorms, we are still in fire season and fuels are still receptive to carrying a fire, especially when pushed by winds,” Senter said. “The public can help firefighters by being careful with anything that can spark a wildfire so we can continue to focus on lightning fire response.”
For more information on the Plumas National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.
