The fire threat across the western U.S. will rise on Friday and remain dangerous for many areas, including Northern California, through Saturday as lightning strikes could ignite dry vegetation.
The Storm Prediction Center said severe fire weather and dry lightning will be widespread across the western United States, with the “Four Corners” region of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona facing the greatest threat. Red flag fire warnings are in effect in Northern California, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Arizona, according to the National Weather Service.
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“Extensive lightning strikes over dry fuels could spark new fires across the region,” the weather service said in a report for southern Oregon. “Any fires that occur could spread quickly. Many new fires could overwhelm the initial strike.”
Wind gusts of up to 55 mph (89 kilometers per hour) are expected in the western mountains.
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The largest fire in California is the Lost Fire in Kern County, which has burned 4,324 acres and is currently only 5% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It is approximately halfway between Bakersfield and San Luis Obispo in Southern California.
Above: A Cal Fire firefighting aircraft drops fire retardant in front of the Sandy Fire on May 18. Bloomberg.
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California DisasterNatural DisasterWildfires
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