Over 14,000 firefighters are battling more than two dozen major fires and lightning complexes across California.
Fire officials say weather conditions Sunday night and into Monday morning were more favorable, yet there were nearly 300 lightning strikes throughout the state. Firefighters continue to monitor for additional lightning strike wildfires and the potential for additional lightning today.
Since the lightning siege that started on Saturday, Aug. 15, there have been over 13,000 lightning strikes. During this time-period, there have been more than 625 new wildfires, which have now burned over 1.2 million acres. Seven people have died and more than 1,200 structures are destroyed.
Compared to 2019, California has experienced a significant increase in the number of wildfires and acres burned. So far, 2,700 more wildfires have occurred this year than last, with an additional 1.4 million acres burned during the same time-period.
A Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service is still in effect for the threat of lightning with little precipitation and gusty erratic outflow winds until 5pm in most of northern California. The threat of dry thunderstorms will decrease in the central valley Monday morning, but remain possible in portions of the foothills and mountains through the evening. Poor air quality continues for much of the state due to ongoing wildfires. Dry weather expected Tuesday into Friday with high temperatures slightly above normal for northern California and significant cool down is likely this week with an onshore flow and deep marine layer in southern California.
With extreme fire danger expected this weekend, it is critical that all Californians take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire. To learn more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire visit this website.
