The National Weather Service expects thunderstorms across several North State counties on Friday, creating a small risk of lightning-caused wildfires.
Forecasters say parts of Butte, Tehama, Lassen, Shasta and Trinity counties are most likely to see storms between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. While the chance of lightning sparking a wildfire is low, officials say it’s not zero.
And it likely won't be the last round of thunderstorms Northern California sees this fire season.
Cal Fire officials told NSPR that lightning-related fire activity could increase by mid-July.
Meanwhile, weather forecasters say El Niño conditions are helping create a weather pattern that can bring more thunderstorms — and potentially dry lightning — to the region through early fall. That could increase wildfire risk as grasses, brush and other vegetation continue to dry out during the summer months.
But there’s a chance El Niño could also bring wetter storms later in the season. Forecasters say if that happens, it could help reduce fire danger across parts of the North State.
