6,257 Lightning Strikes Hit California

From YubaNet.com

Regional
6,257 Lightning Strikes Hit California - June 4
Author: YubaNet
Published on Jun 4, 2009 - 6:47:08 AM

Map courtesy Tahoe National Forest. Click the image to view full-size picture.

NEVADA CITY, Calif. June 4, 2009 - Lightning touched down a record 6,257 times in the 24-hour period ending at 6:00 a.m. on June 4, 2009. The Tahoe National Forest was hit 148, according to PIO Ann Westling. But, as evidenced by the map, lightning struck also in the lower areas of the foothills.

Fire Weather Forecast for the rest of the week: Some lingering showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible over the weekend, especially from the Cascade-Sierra range eastward, as the low weakens over the southern end of the state and moves east. Early next week a gradual warming a drying trend will begin, but no strong northerly or easterly winds are expected. However, the computer models are showing some potential that weak disturbances embedded in the WNW flow may bring light precipitation to areas near the OR border.

Map courtesy Tahoe National Forest. Click the image to view full-size picture.

Trees hit by lightning can smolder for several days before bursting into flame. Lookout stations and reconnaissance planes will scan all areas for smoke columns and possible starts over the next several days.

Yesterday, 50 new fires started in Northern California, all small in size. In Southern California, the San Bernardino National Forest is working 22 lightning-related fires.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center: "On Wednesday, June 3, between 2:30am and 8:00pm the Angeles National Forest received approximately 400 down strikes of lightning. There are currently 15 detectable new wildland fires resulting from this activity."

More Fire News.