Red flag warning issued for dry lightning; fires burning in eastern SLO County
San Luis Obispo County was under a red flag warning through 9 p.m. Saturday as possible thunderstorms created a threat for dry lightning, according to the National Weather Service.
Meanwhile, two fires were burning in the remote eastern area of the county, including one that spurred an evacuation order.
In a post on X, the Weather Service said that the warning is in effect for most mountains and foothills from the northern border of SLO County past Lancaster.
Meteorologist John Lindsey told the Tribune that the main concern from dry lightning, when lightning hits the ground without any rainfall, is fire risk.
“It’s especially bad if you have no moisture and then there is a lightning strike that could be an ignition source,” Lindsey said.
Lindsey said the combination of strong gusts of wind, which are expected throughout the Central Coast, and dry lightning create the potential for dangerous wildfire conditions.
On Saturday morning, the most recent blaze broke out near Elkhorn Road in California Valley. According to Cal Fire SLO, the Hurricane Fire was estimated to have burned 3,184 acres as of 5 p.m. Saturday.
It was burning on the edge of the Temblor Range near the border of the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
On Saturday night, the fire crossed into Kern County, and an evacuation order was issued for the Mocal Road community, according to Kern County Fire.
Farther south, in the very eastern corner of SLO County, another vegetation fire has burned 161 acres off Quail Springs Road and Soda Lake Road. The Soda Fire was located west of Maricopa.
And in Santa Barbara County, firefighters are continuing to battle the Lake Fire, which has burned. more than 38,000 acres and is only 19% contained.
According to the Weather Service forecast discussion, scattered showers and thunderstorms developed Friday night near Ventura County and are expected to move across the Central Coast area, reaching the Antelope Valley by midday Saturday.
The biggest impact was expected to be dry lightning, which can touch down without any rainfall and gusty winds.
As high day-time temperatures persist, the Weather Service said that there is an increased chance of heavy rainfall at higher elevations as updraft strength increases.
The heatwave that has stretched across the mountains and interiors of the Central Coast is expected to break today as the high-pressure system weakens and moves east, according to the Weather Service.
However, another warming trend is expected to develop later this week and continue into next weekend.
This story was originally published July 13, 2024 at 11:42 AM.