Regional
5,000 lightning strikes spark 602 fires throughout California
Author: YubaNet
Published on Jun 22, 2008 - 7:14:15 AM

Map courtesy of Rob Neep neepervsion.com Click to see full size

Nevada City June 22, 2008 - Various counties and locations throughout Northern California were hit by a lightning event on Saturday, June 21.

Over 3,200 lightning strikes ignited 602 fires throughout Northern California. A total of over 5,000 lightning strikes was recorded.

Hardest hit were the Mendocino area with 90 fires and the Shasta-Trinity area with 62 new fires.

Suppression efforts are underway, Governor Schwarzenegger has ordered the California National Guard to mobilize a total of six helicopters and one RC-26 remote sensing platform to help with the firefighting efforts.

The Geographic Coordination Area has gone to preparedness level 3 (out of 5).

The threat of thunderstorms will return to eastern areas late in the week.

For continuous updates on the fires, please visit our Fire News section.

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