Weather
California Prepares For Fire Risk Ahead Of Anticipated Thunderstorms, Dry Lightning
Cal Fire has added extra engines, strike teams, and hand crews in both its northern and southern regions.
California has prepositioned firefighting resources across the state in anticipation of thunderstorms bringing heavy rain, dry lightning and gusty winds that could spark new wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
CAL FIRE has boosted staffing statewide, a press release issued Thursday said.
The agency has added extra engines, strike teams, and hand crews in both its northern and southern regions and in contract counties including Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, Los Angeles and Marin.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The move follows August's "lightning siege," which produced more than 110,000 lightning strikes, 530 fires and nearly 29,000 acres burned.
The National Weather Service said warm, dry conditions combined with tropical moisture could trigger thunderstorms through next week. While some rain may be beneficial, the potential for dry lightning remains high.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Lightning can strike with little or no warning, sparking dangerous wildfires," CAL FIRE Director Joe Tyler said, urging residents to stay alert, follow evacuation orders and take lightning safety seriously.
CAL FIRE officials also reminded Californians to have emergency "go bags" ready and sign up for local alerts to receive real-time information during evacuations.
Copyright © 2025 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.
