More than 13,700 firefighters are on the frontlines Saturday of nearly two dozen major fires and lightning complexes across California.
According to Daniel Berlant, assistant deputy director for CAL FIRE, there have been nearly 12,000 lightning strikes since last Saturday, with more than 100 occurring yesterday.
During this time period, Berlant says there have been more than 585 new wildfires, all of which have burned close to a million acres.
"With so many fires burning at one time, CAL FIRE has continued to request additional support from local fire departments across the State, as well as hundreds of fire engines from other states," said Berlant in a press release sent to KSBY.
Fire officials say the National Guard has been activated and is providing helicopter support and a dozen 20-person crews.
The federal military is also supporting California firefighters with several C-130 aircraft equipped with modular firefighting systems known as MAFFS that allow them to be large air tankers, according to fire authorities.
"With extreme fire danger expected this weekend, it is critical that all Californians take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire," said Berlant in the release.
To learn how to prepare you and your home for a wildfire, visit CAL FIRE's Ready for Wildfire website.
