NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – While large fires continue to burn around California, fire officials are concerned about the potential for new starts due to forecasts warning of lightning and wind conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the northernmost part of California due to the forecast of dry thunderstorms and winds.
Since Thursday night, thousands of lightning strikes have occurred, sparking several hundred small wildfires, according to Cal Fire.
Forecasters are predicting that mountain thunderstorms will continue through Sunday with little rain which could spark fire starts from dry lightning strikes, officials said.
Northern California could be at risk for new lightning fire starts if evening thunderstorms shift northward late Saturday night, based on the forecast.
For information on wildland fire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
The following is a summary of major wildfire incidents around the state, with size estimates through late Saturday night.
Cal Fire incidents
– White fire: Began Aug. 1 in Santa Barbara County; 50 to 75 acres, 10-percent contained.
– Creek fire: Began July 31 in Merced County; 1,450 acres, 100-percent contained.
– Advance fire: Began July 30 in Tulare County; 86 acres, 65-percent contained. Four minor injuries reported.
– Sprig fire: Began July 30 in Shasta County; two fires totaling 195 acres, 100-percent contained.
– Humboldt lightning fires: Began July 30 in Humboldt County; 71 fires totaling 1,000 acres, 5-percent containment.
– Mendocino lightning fires: Began July 30 in Mendocino County; six fires totaling 50 acres, 80-percent contained.
– Rocky fire: Began July 29 near Lower Lake in Lake County; 27,000 acres, 5-percent containment. Fifty structures destroyed, 6,156 threatened. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Big Creek fire: Began July 29 in Tuolumne County; 204 acres, 80-percent containment. Cause was an escaped debris fire.
– China fire: Two fires that began July 29 in Shasta County; two fires for a total of 212 acres, 100-percent contained. Two minor injuries. Three structures destroyed, two structures and one outbuilding damaged. Evacuations lifted. Cause is under investigation.
– Swedes fire: Began July 29 in Butte County; 400 acres, 90-percent contained. Two residences and 14 outbuildings destroyed. Evacuations have been lifted. Cause is under investigation.
– Lowell fire: Began July 25 in Nevada County; 2,304 acres, 80-percent contained. Evacuation advisories are in effect. One structure destroyed. Six injuries. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 10.
– Queen fire: Began July 25 in Humboldt County; 158 acres, 100-percent contained. Two injuries. Cause is under investigation.
– Wragg fire: Began July 22 in Napa and Solano counties; 8,051 acres, 95-percent contained. Evacuations lifted. Two outbuildings destroyed, three outbuildings and one residence damaged, with 136 structures threatened. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
Unified command incidents
– Rail fire: Began July 31 in Trinity County; 800 acres, no estimated containment; Evacuations in effect.
– Willow fire: Began July 25 in Madera County; 5,116 acres, 50-percent contained. Caused by arson.
Federal incidents
– Scales fire: Began Aug. 1 in San Bernardino County; 50 acres, 10-percent contained.
– Fork Complex: Began July 30, Trinity County; 12,500 acres, no estimated containment. Evacuations in place. Caused by lightning.
– River Complex: Began July 30, Trinity County; 1,500 acres, no estimated containment. Voluntary evacuation advisory in place.
– Frog fire: Began July 30 in Modoc County; 3,000 acres, 5-percent contained. Caused by lightning. Estimated full containment: Aug. 12.
– Mad River Complex: Began July 30 in Trinity County; 19 fires merged into four, 5,000 acres, no estimated containment.
– Etsel Fire: Began July 30 in Mendocino County; 37 acres, 60-percent contained.
– Cabin fire: Began July 29 in Tulare County; 2,619 acres, no containment reported. Caused by lightning.
– Cutca fire: Began July 24 in San Diego County; 167 acres, 90-percent contained. Cause is unknown.
– Pines fire: Began July 17 in Los Angeles County; 200 acres, 85-percent contained. Cause is under investigation.
– Lake fire: Began July 16 in San Bernardino County; 31,359 acres, 100-percent contained. Human caused; remains under investigation.
– Washington fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 17,790 acres, 99-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by lightning.
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