For the past week, areas across the Plumas National Forest have had regular afternoon and evening thunderstorm activity with hundreds of lightning strikes, with most of the lightning occurring last Thursday and Friday.
These storms have generally been wet, with moderate to heavy precipitation. So far the storms have resulted in three confirmed lightning fires, with the largest fire approximately a quarter acre.
There is a chance of thunderstorms today through Friday before a warming and drying trend starts this weekend and is forecasted to continue through next week. This weather pattern will help make holdover lightning fires more visible.
The Plumas National Forest has been conducting reconnaissance flights during this lightning event in an effort to detect lightning caused fires. Firefighters will continue to monitor conditions and respond to lightning fires as they are discovered in the coming days.
Area residents and visitors are asked to be careful with anything that can spark a wildfire and to help prevent additional fires so firefighters can continue to focus on lightning fire detection and response. The public can also help by reporting suspected wildfires by calling 911.
Sharing full news release with more information. Also sharing a photo of smoke from the Jamison Fire last Friday, July 25. The fire was located on the Beckwourth Ranger District and was two snags burning 60 feet apart. The fire was fully suppressed at approximately a quarter acre.
