NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cal Fire reported that it has moved an additional 20 fire engines into Mendocino, Shasta and Siskiyou counties in preparation for a possible increase in fires due to dry lightning.

The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning through Tuesday evening for the upper portions of California due to significant lightning potential without much rainfall. The combination of the dry lightning and gusty winds will lead to a heightened fire danger.

A red flag warning also had been in effect for the Eastern Sierras through Tuesday due to gusty winds and low humidity.

Weather forecasters late Tuesday continued to issue new advisories regarding those potentially problematic weather conditions. A low pressure system from Southern Oregon is expected to move into Northern California on Wednesday.

While temperatures have been unseasonably cooler over the past few weeks, the number of wildfires Cal Fire has responded to has remained steady, the agency reported. Most of these fires have been contained to 10 acres or less, mainly due to the mild weather and the aggressive initial attack by firefighters.

Cal Fire urged Californians to be extremely cautious, especially during red flag warnings.

Officials urge area residents to do any mowing or weed eating before 10 a.m. – and never during extremely dry conditions; never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation; ensure that campfires are properly extinguished; and never pull your vehicle over in tall dry grass.

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