SACRAMENTO — CAL FIRE increased staffing Wednesday because of dry lightning and strong winds throughout much of the north state.
A low pressure system along the coast is bringing subtropical moisture, which is causing isolated thunderstorms across northern and central California. Many of the storms are not accompanied by rain.
Considerable lightning has already begun and is likely to continue today. Dry lightning already sparked more than a dozen fires across the Sierra and northeastern California.
Ahead of Wednesday”s predicted dry lightning, CAL FIRE staffed its reserve fire engines, made additional inmate fire crews available 24 hours a day and held all personnel on duty.
In addition to department preparations, CAL FIRE is in close communication with local, state and federal partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, the California National Guard and the California Emergency Management Agency.
“This year we have seen a significant increase in lightning-sparked fires in California,” chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director, said. “With the already tinder-dry conditions, this lightning storm season has elevated the fire danger even higher for this week.”
CAL FIRE urges people to remain fire safe and help prevent new fires.
A few helpful reminders and safety tips include mowing or weed eating should be done before 10 a.m. (and never during dry or windy conditions); never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation; ensure campfires are permitted and, if so, be sure to extinguish them completely when done; and never pull your vehicle over in tall, dry grass.
“We are well into fire season and it”s critical that homeowners have a family disaster plan in place, so that they know exactly what to take and where to go when a wildfire ignites in their area,” Pimlott said.
Visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov for more ways to prepare for wildfires.
