Lightning has struck the Shasta-Trinity National Forest over 5,000 times in the last 35 days.
"This is probably historically unprecedented to have this amount of lightning strikes in the North State in a one month period," said Tom Stokesberry, public affairs officer for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The strikes caused almost 60 fires, he said, but most only reached up to two acres in size. All have been contained, except the Green Fire, which started on July 1. It’s burned nearly 20,000 acres and is 96% contained.
"We can have holdover fires when lightning strikes. Sometimes it takes a few days for them to show themselves with the smoke, depending on where they hit."— Tom Stokesberry, Shasta-Trinity National Forest public affairs officer
Even though the storms have cleared up for now, fire officials are still closely monitoring the forest.
"We can have holdover fires when lightning strikes. Sometimes it takes a few days for them to show themselves with the smoke, depending on where they hit," Stokesberry said. "So we will [continue to be] active in patrolling the forest, both by ground and the air."
More thunderstorms are expected to return in a few weeks, he said. In the meantime, high temperatures will dry out fuels and keep the risk of fire high in the area.
Due to that, Stokesberry said if you’re recreating in the forest to practice fire safety.
"No dragging chains. If you do have a campfire, make sure you're putting it dead out with water and stirring it,” he said. "Everything the public can do to help us, makes us all better as a team."
