Recent Lightning Activity Sparks Fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest
US Forest Service News Release [here]
REDDING , Calif. (May 29, 2009) – Severe thunderstorm activity on Thursday produced over 900 lightning strikes in Northern California resulting in four small fires on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. As the lightning-caused fires were discovered, Forest Service firefighters immediately responded and began fire suppression activity.
The Corral Fire, located about ten miles west of Hayfork, in the vicinity of the Indian Valley Guard Station, was discovered around 4 p.m. Thursday. The fire is controlled and was successfully contained to ¼ of an acre in size.
The Wilson Fire, located about six miles west of Platina, was called in at 7:21 p.m. Thursday. It was successfully contained at ¼ of an acre. Firefighters are on scene and will continue to work on fully controlling the fire.
The Donaldson Fire, located about four miles NE of Hayfork, is contained at 1/2 acre in size. Firefighters predict full control of this fire Friday evening.
Firefighters are also on scene at a fire discovered earlier today. The West Fire, a small fire located just north of the Yolla Bolla-Middle Eel Wilderness, was successfully controlled Friday evening.
Fire lookout facilities are staffed and aerial reconnaissance is on-going during this period of high fire potential.
Forest Service meteorologists expect continued lightning activity for the next four to seven days with an accompanying increased chance of precipitation.
Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
General fire information can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity
