California firefighters said Saturday that there have been nearly 12,000 lightning strikes in the state since Aug. 15, with more than 100 occurring on Friday. Thousands of firefighters are battling two of the three biggest wildfire outbreaks in history, which were started by the dry lightning strikes.
A new de-escalation system is expected to bring more dry lightning streaks and pleasant winds on Sunday and will last for several days, which could create more fires, Cal Fire said.
At least five people died already and tens of thousands have been evacuated after hundreds of burns broke out in Northern California. On Friday night, flashing flames kicked two firefighters, who had to be taken to the air.
Gavin Newsom of California said Saturday that the White House had approved a major declaration of disasters for the state.
Tropical Storm Fausto’s atmospheric energy pulse last week wreaked havoc, and the National Water Service warned Saturday that “increased humidity and instability from previous Hurricane Genevieve” poses a threat of increased thunderstorms though this weekend and early next week.
Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP
These conditions became catastrophic as a result of the historical heat and significant drought, less exacerbated by climate change.
Forecasters issued a Red Flag Fire warning that will go into effect 5 a.m. Sunday and last until 5 p.m. Monday and cover the entire area where the current wildfires are raging from Lake Berryessa to Big Sur, CBS San Francisco reported.
Marin County officials announced Saturday that they will close public access to the Marin Municipal Water District and Mount Tamalpais State Park wilderness during Red Flag conditions.
“Lightning is likely to stimulate new fires in the region, including remote areas,” the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association said in a news release. “Wildfires in remote regions may not be visible until warmer and drier conditions allow them to grow. Erratic gusty outflow winds can result in dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior.”
Jeff Berardelli contributed reporting.
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