The Shasta-Trinity National Forest Prepares for Hot Dry Weather and Lightning This Weekend
Release Date: Jun 25, 2015
Contact(s): Josef Orosz (530)226-2500
Redding CA - Shasta-Trinity National Forest is increasing fire fighter staffing due to the increased chance of dry lightning and strong winds from thunderstorm activity throughout Northern California through this weekend. Additional fire engines, handcrews and helicopters have been staged throughout the forest in preparation for fires during this forecasted weather.
Beginning Friday and continuing over the following days a monsoonal flow will wrap around a high-pressure ridge over the Great Basin bringing moisture into the unstable atmosphere above northern California that has the potential to generate thunderstorms with the risk of dry lightning. The chance of lightning will continue into next week. While this weather system may not produce strong, consistent winds; winds near thunderstorms can be strong and erratic reaching speeds of 35-55 mph. Forest visitors are urged to be vigilant with fire during this period and notify local authorities if they see any wildfire activity.
The Shasta-Trinity National Forest experienced considerable fire activity during the series of thunderstorms that occurred in mid-June resulting in 31 fires including the 1,542 acre Saddle fire near Hyampom, CA. These fires were contained thanks to an aggressive response but shows the dry fuel conditions and potential that exists on National Forest lands early in the fire season.
Ben Newburn, the Forest Fire Management Officer for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, asks people to remain very cautious when using a campfire this weekend. “The increased fire danger during this hot, dry weather around the forest and nearby lands makes having a campfire very dangerous. If you absolutely must have one, keep it small and never leave it unattended. Make sure it’s cold dead out, because any warm embers left behind with the winds we are expecting could cause it to reignite quickly.”
To help learn how to prevent wildfires and get your free online campfire permit, please visit the following website:
The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.
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