Current United States
 Large Incident Fires

California fires rage out of control with a current count of 37 being listed as large incident fires. A dry lightning storm sparked off over 800 fires last week and crews have their hands full with trying to get these fires under control.

Fire crews joined aircraft from neighboring states to battle hundreds of lightning-caused wildfires across Northern California. The blazes have scorched tens of thousands of acres and forced hundreds of residents to flee, though few buildings have been destroyed, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. A blaze that had charred nearly six square miles in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest about 160 miles north of Sacramento was a threat to about 1,200 homes and several youth camps. Mendocino County alone had 110 fires, with just 17 contained. In Monterey County, a fire near the coast south of Big Sur was only 3 percent contained.
The weekend storm was unusual not only because it generated so many lightning strikes over a large geographical area, but also because it struck so early in the season and moved in from the Pacific Ocean. Such storms usually don't arrive until late July or August and typically form southeast of California.

Currently southern Texas, Georgia, North and South Carolina are still being impacted by extreme drought which will no doubt play a critical role in the upcoming late summer and fall seasons as far as fire is concerned.

If you have news or images of wildfires in your area feel free to contact us at News@wildlandfirefighter.org

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