Lightning Watch: Red Flag Warning

Lightning imminent zone 259 numerous strikes from Vincent, Acton, to Wrightwood CA, South of 138 now forming north of the 14 Freeway and Highway 58...

Fall Fire Weather Pattern

SOCAL: it is starting to feel like Fall and with it comes the start of fire season in So CaL. Wildfire tonight in Gorman, approx 4 acres, quick knockdown. Very warm and dry in zone 259 with very low RH as high pressure moves. Temps should easily hit triple digits tomorrow. Ventura County, Glendale and LA County all had fires today.

Fire Weather CA 259

Warming and drying trend starting Sunday and Monday with a possible sundowner event in Santa Barbara on Wednesday. Some fog along the coast, but zone 259 has been very dry with very low RH values.

Copco Wildfire Burns 250 Acres Angeles Forest

Firefighters from Los Angeles County and United States Forest Service are still mopping up the Copco wildfire which has consumed 250 acres of brush above the California Aqueduct just east of Interstate 5 and Highway 138. USFS Contract helicopters 528 and 531 from Kachina Aviation are working the fire this morning.

Zone 259 CA Desert Fire Weather

More concerns about high temperatures and the possibility of lightning starting Thursday night into Sunday evening, we will watch this situation closely. Temperatures will be 4-10 degrees above seasonal norms and some monsoonal moisture moving in from the south. The last storms came over the eastern edge of the Angeles Forest.

Jaw Bone Canyon Fire Grows to 7,500 acres

The Jaw Bone Canyon Fire grew immensley with a large plume of smoke this morning clearly visible across Los Angeles County. BLM has spent over 1.1 million dollars on supression so far and 600 personel are assigned to the fire.

In California there are other significant fires near Lassen National Park and Lee Vining. More lightning is predicted for today across the mountains and deserts.

Wildfires Sparked by Lightning

Today several small fires were sparked by lightning in Kern County just to the north of my home base in Rosamond CA. Numerous downstrikes started a small fire along Rosamond Bl at 55th in Station 15 area.

The Jaw Bone Canyon fire was active this morning probably pushing a thousand acres at the time of the image.

Potential thunderstorms may be present on Sunday afternoon as well, however moisture should move south west by Monday and some cooling maybe on the horizon.

Downstrike over Rosamond CA.

Jaw Bone Canyon and Rim Fires, Kern County

As predicted more lightning hit the mountains of Kern County today with two new fires being sparked, the Rim and Jaw Bone Canyon fires, both several hundred acres with rapid rates of spread. A large column is clearly visible as far away as Lancaster accompanied with very visible cumulus development.

Some dry lightning may be forming tonight in CA zone 259 on the north west side of the Angeles National Forest. Temperatures at 19:44 we still in the 90's with an obvious southerly flow moving into the area.

Photo is courtesy of Bernie Deyo, EPN Photographer.

Aircraft is actively working the fire and some structure protection has been called in. More to follow.

Lightning Watch, Wildfires in the Angeles National Forest

On high alert today for potential lightning storms, Antelope Valley to Sierra Crest. High temperatures and southerly flow accompanied with some unstable air. Potential for some dry strikes, more storms on Friday and into Saturday. Morning report.

Today as predicted lightning did form over the Angeles National Forest near Valeyermo. Several small fires have been reported, one on Table Mountain near Wrightwood, and one in Kentucky Springs near the Angeles Forest Boundary. Los Angeles County also had three small starts along 165 east just south of Highway 138. Most of the storms did have some precipitation associated with them. Photos taken at Bob's Gap and Panarama Point.

For tomorrow more of the same, keeping an eye on hot temperatures associated with possible thunderstorms. End of evening report.

Earthquake Yorba Linda CA

4.4 magnitude earthquake Yorba Linda CA, felt in LA County, fire departments doing damage assessments. EPN 1 available, EPN 5 available,

California Wildfires

Late afternoon on August 3, 2012 saw a low pressure pressure system move in with monsoonal moisture and as predicted lightning was associated with these storms. There are fires in several regions of the State of California, one on the Los Padres National Forest near Lake Piru, LA County is assisting the Forest Service with initial attack. The fire is in rugged country, primarily a hand crew show.

Throughout the area the Sequioa National Forest has the Piute Complex with several fires and the Clear Fire, 1,300 acres, the Heald fire at 313 acres. Smoke jumpers deployed in rugged country. Farther to the north the Klamath National Forest has the Dilon Fire, Plumas has the Chips Fire, 10,387 acres  and the Peak Fire.

Further information can be found at www.inciweb.org for recent updates.

The story for this week is a strong ridge of high pressure building in for an increase in temperatures, and low relative humidity. Temperatures are well into triple digits in the Mojave, northern LA County and Eastern Inyo and Kern Deserts. Some monsoonal moisture still is lingering in the region so an isolated thunderstorm may remain in the forecast area.

With hot dry weather comes the concern for dehydration of handcrews so drinking proper amounts of fluids is essential.