Shasta-Trinity National Forest Sustained 94 Lightning Strikes

REDDING, Calif., — The Shasta-Trinity National Forest sustained 94 lightning strikes on forest service lands after a lightning storm moved through the state last weekend. Having anticipated the incoming storms, the forest had pre-positioned resources throughout the area and was able to quickly respond to three fires on the Shasta-Trinity and assisted with two fires on the Six Rivers National Forest.

Shasta Trinity crews responded to the Mumbo, Post and Horse Fires which occurred on Shasta Trinity Lands and were all brought under control or contained. Crews also responded to assist the Six Rivers National Forest with the Hennesey Fire and the Hill Fire; the latter was an ongoing fire that reached 4,033 acres before being contained.

The quick initial attack was aided by available staff and coordination between the U.S. Forest Service, the Northern Geographic Coordination Center, CAL FIRE and other partner agencies.

“We were in communication with the Northern California Geographic Coordination Center, so we were aware of the potential for incoming lightning storms,” said Patrick Bell, the District Fire Management Officer for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. “We ensured that we had engines, dozers, hand crews, leadership and other resources staged in high-risk areas around the forest, as well as extended our staffing hours so that we were ready to respond to any fires that arose at a moment’s notice.”

Given the extremely dry, record-setting fuel conditions where much of the lightning struck, this success rate stood out as a significant achievement for California.

An additional 412 resources were brought into the state to assist with California’s wildland fire response. The Forest Service remained at the ready during these critical summer months to respond to emerging wildland fires across the state.