Map courtesy Tahoe National Forest

NEVADA CITY, Calif. August 7, 2017 – Between 2:30 and 4:30 pm on Sunday afternoon, 17 lightning strikes were recorded on the Tahoe National Forest. 5 strikes hit in the Truckee Ranger District and 12 in the Sierraville Ranger District.

One of the strikes is likely the cause of the Chilcoot Fire that prompted evacuations for Chilcoot and Vinton. The evacuations were lifted later on Sunday. The fire is estimated at 1,000 acres and is in mop-up.

Lightning is again in the forecast today and firefighters will be busy chasing new starts and sleepers from previous thunderstorms.