Nearly 1,000 lightning strikes spark wildfires in Northern California
Nearly 1,000 lightning strikes were recorded across Northern California this week, sparking numerous brush fires, including a 7,000-acre blaze in Modoc County, officials reported.
The lightning storm, which moved through the region Wednesday, dumped little rain, but ignited at least 26 fires in Siskiyou County with the largest blaze at least 150 acres, according to the U.S. National Forest Service.
The wildfire in Modoc County started shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday two miles north of the community of Day.
Dubbed the Day fire, it was only 5% contained and threatened 200 structures, prompting mandatory evacuations from Schneider Ranch Road to the northern end of Day Road, according to the California Department of Fire and Forestry Protection.
More than 680 fire personnel have been assigned to the wildfire, which is burning in mixed brush and heavy timber in the Lassen National Forest and in private land in Modoc County.
Bolts of lightning connecting with tindery dry brush have made for a destructive combination, particulary when erratic winds are introduced.
CalFire crews were battling 20 other lightning fires on state land, which has stretched firefighting resources thin.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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