About 10,000 firefighters fought 21 wildfires across California over the weekend, working in steep terrain amid sweltering temperatures as flames destroyed numerous structures and displaced thousands of people.
Most of the fires were sparked by sporadic lightning strikes and accompanying thunderstorms over the past several days. While storms have the potential for much-needed moisture to the drought-stricken region, dry thunderstorms often bring little rainfall and an increased risk of new fires.
"On Sunday, when we had the fire double in size in five hours, it was creating its own wind," said Cal Fire Capt. Don Camp in speaking with the Sacramento Bee. "But if the temperature stays down and the humidity stays up, and, if there are cooperative winds, [Monday] could be a turning point for our crews."
Thunderstorm activity throughout Northern California is expected to increase throughout the week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches near the California-Oregon border. During heightened fire danger, even a small spark - or bolt of lightning - can cause another major blaze.
Here is an update on the most severe wildfires.
Rocky Fire
Despite efforts from 2,900 firefighters, 19 helicopters, and four air tankers, the Rocky Fire is only 12 percent contained.
Deemed "unprecedented" by a California Office of Emergency Services administrator, it nearly triples in size to 93 square miles last weekend, ravaging Lake, Yolo, and Colusa counties in the northern part of the state. It's scorched over 134,000 acres this year, or about three times the wildfire average for this time of year, according to fire officials.
At 60,000 acres, the Lower Lake fire is the largest and most detrimental of ongoing blazes.
Frog Fire
U.S. Forest Services firefighter Dave Ruhl died and four other were burned battling the fire late last week. Rescuers found Ruhl's body in the Modoc National Forest, located about 100 miles south of Oregon.
Cooler temperatures and a higher humidity level increased the containment rate to 20 percent over the weekend, though 4,213 acres have already burned since the Frog Fire began last Thursday.
Humboldt Lightning Fire
A total of 10 fires have burned 2,692 acres near southeastern Humboldt communities of Alderpoint and Blocksburg. Approximately 240 residents are under an evacuation advisory and many are urged to head towards the temporary evacuation center set up by the local fire department.
To date, the Humboldt fire is only 15 percent contained.
Fork Complex
Mandatory evacuations were issued for areas around the Forks Complex in Trinity County Monday morning. The fire, only five percent contained as of Monday, grew from 40 lightning-sparked fires to engulf 23,400 acres by Sunday night.
Below is a Google map outlining each California fire's containment rate.
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