- Lake County News reports
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State officials warn that weather could increase fire conditions in coming days
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With special weather watches in effect for a large part of Northern California, state fire officials are urging residents to be prepared for conditions that could exacerbate the late summer season's fire danger.
Cal Fire said Sunday that more than 5,000 firefighters are on the frontlines of the 10 major wildfires burning in California.
While many of these fires are in remote areas, several fires have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate, the agency said.
Firefighters are making good progress, however, weather conditions could pose a challenge in the coming days as gusty winds and dry lightning are forecasted, according to officials.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to the possibility of dry lightning in combination with gusty winds for many of the coastal counties from Mendocino down to Monterey. The warning goes into effect Monday at midnight and is expected to last through Wednesday.
A red flag warning indicates weather events that may result in extreme fire behavior within 24 hours. It's the highest weather alert.
A fire weather watch for lightning has also been issued starting Monday morning for most of the mountains and foothills of Northern California.
Fire weather watches, one level below red flag warnings, mean weather conditions in which extreme fire behavior could occur will exist in the next 12-72 hours.
The thunderstorms are expected to initially be dry, which will heighten the fire danger, but should begin to bring some rainfall by midweek.
For more information on the warnings visit: http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_redflagwarning.php .
Residents are urged to be extremely cautious, as during this time a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.
Major fire incidents around the state include the Double Fire, burning along Highway 20, east of Clearlake Oaks.
It remained at 70 acres and 80 percent containment on Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire.
Other major incidents in state jurisdiction include the following:
- Swedes Fire, located southeast of Oroville in Butte County; 1,850 acres and 20 percent contained; 700 structures threatened; evacuations in effect.
- Bridges Fire, southeast of Vallecito, near New Melones Lake in Calaveras County; 60 acres, 35 percent contained.
Major incidents in federal jurisdiction:
- American Fire, Placer County; US Forest Service – Tahoe National Forest, northeast of Foresthill; 12,950 acres, 45 percent contained.
- Rim Fire, Tuolumne County; US Forest Service – Stanislaus National Forest, northeast of Groveland; 200 acres, 0 percent contained.
- Cleghorn Fire, San Bernardino County; US Forest Service – San Bernardino National Forest, Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass; 110 acres, 45 percent contained.
- Orleans Complex, Siskiyou County; US Forest Service – Six Rivers National Forest, 10 miles east of Somes Bar; 15,446 acres, 24 percent contained.
- Salmon River Complex, Siskiyou County; US Forest Service – Klamath National Forest, one mile west of Sawyers Bar; 13,002 acres, 80 percent contained.
- Corral Complex, Humboldt County; US Forest Service – Six Rivers National Forest, east of the Hoopa Indian Reservation; 3,900 acres, 0 percent contained.
- Aspen Fire, Fresno County; US Forest Service – Sierra National Forest, near Huntington Lake; 22,546 acres, 90 percent contained.