Summer clouds and the Sierra
Dry lightning keeps everyone on alert
Volume 2, Number 63 - Monday, July 15, 2024
Published every Monday and Thursday
Perspective
ANYONE WHO HAS SPENT summers in or around the Sierra Nevada knows that summer storms bring the possibility of lightning — and lightning often ignites wildfires.
Fire officials throughout California have been on alert recently for just this reason. Summer clouds often don’t bring much rain because it’s so hot the droplets evaporate before they reach the ground. But they do bring dry lightning.
You may recall the lightning-caused fires in and near Sierra National Forest that began last month, and there are others burning now.
Some lightning fires are contained to a single tree and may burn out on their own if conditions are right. Others become infernos. The 2020 Castle Fire and 2021 Windy Fire, as examples, were both started by lightning.
A 2022 study published by climate researchers (HERE) showed that “Lightning occurring with less than 2.5 mm of rainfall—typically referred to as 'dry lightning' — is a major source of wildfire ignition in central and northern California. Despite being rare, dry lightning outbreaks have resulted in destructive fires in this region due to the intersection of dense, dry vegetation and a large population living adjacent to fire-prone lands.”
Of course, California is starting to dry out this year after two very wet years, and there is lots of dry vegetation.
According to the study, “human-caused wildfire ignitions predominate in southern California. Lightning-caused fires are more prevalent in the northern half of the state, particularly over mountainous terrain.”
I’m always on the lookout for cool online tools that help us understand what’s happening. Lightningmaps.org is one of them. Here’s a screenshot from this morning showing lightning activity across the country over the past 48 hours:
Yesterday, Yosemite Fire & Aviation reported that nine new fires had been detected after multiple lightning strikes in the park: “The fires are all less than 1/10th of an acre in remote areas of Yosemite. There are no anticipated closures. Response has included engines, helicopter, and crews hiking in.”
Park officials said on Facebook that “A lack of precipitation and consistently high temperatures have increased the danger of wildfire to an extreme level in much of the park, especially at lower elevations.”
On Sunday, Sequoia National Forest provided a Facebook update on activity related to lightning-caused wildfires. The largest fires were the Trout Fire, now 494 acres, according to the latest report on watchduty.org and the Packsaddle Fire, now 46.6 acres, according to the same source.
SQF said two other fires, the smaller Poison fire was 80% contained and in mop-up, and the Knob Fire was contained and in patrol status.
The largest fire in the Sierra Nevada so far this summer — the Basin Fire on Sierra National Forest — is 14,023 acres and 95% contained as of the latest report. This fire may have been caused by lightning, but I haven’t found an official cause listed so far.
Here’s what Inciweb reported:
On June 24, the High Sierra Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest, was in the path of a lightning storm that created 18 fires. An additional fire, and by far the largest, is the Basin Fire which was detected, June 26.
Road to Mineral King reopened
I’ve never been to Mineral King, but it’s on my bucket list. Now that the road there has reopened, I’m hoping to make it this year.
According to the NPS, “Mineral King offers a unique opportunity for a remote and rugged park experience. The Mineral King Road ascends higher than any other park motorway, ending in Mineral King Valley at 7,800 feet. Along the way, you’ll find panoramic views of chaparral and oak woodlands before reaching sequoia groves and alpine vistas. The road passes through old mining towns, complete with historic cabins. Stay overnight among the sequoias at Atwell Mill Campground. Numerous nearby trails offer hikers recreational opportunities.”
Two groves of giant sequoias are along the Mineral King Road — Redwood Creek Grove and Atwell Grove.
Bark beetles discovered in Balch Park
Charles Whisnand, editor of The Porterville Recorder, reported on July 12 that bark beetles have been discovered in the giant sequoias growing in Tulare County’s Balch Park.
Whisnand said the Tulare County Board of Supervisors will tomorrow consider retroactively approving an agreement with the Ancient Forest Society to perform diagnostic evaluations and monitor giant sequoia trees at the park.
You can read the story HERE, and an excerpt:
“Balch Park is currently facing a significant bark beetle infestation that threatens its ancient Giant Sequoia Tree Grove,” county staff reported. “This presents a severe risk to these iconic trees, necessitating immediate research and intervention.”
Tulare County Parks, along with Cal Fire and the Ancient Forest Society, will study the native phloem-feeding bark beetle.
The 160-acre county park is surrounded by 4,807-acre Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest and home to some magnificent giant sequoia trees that are part of the Mountain Home grove.
As reported HERE, climbers from the Ancient Forest Society were at nearby Sequoia National Park in May to check the General Sherman Tree — believed to be the largest tree in the world — for the bugs.
Wildfire, water & weather update
They say it’s going to cool off a bit. But at this time of year in California, “a bit” doesn’t mean much. We’re going from extreme to moderate heat risk. The best Sierra Nevada weather forecasts are at NWS Hanford, HERE, and NWS Sacramento, HERE.
Drought is back in California. The National Integrated Drought Information Center’s map from this morning tells the story. More HERE.
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Thanks for reading!
Mineral king
Lovely place! almost became a ski area in the 60s! But some places are too important to mess with argument prevailed, with major help from our 2 (non-skier) representatives . Whew.
But be warned- Marmots will try to get into your cars engine and chew the wiring. Don’t leave your car for long! You will see cars left by hikers all wrapped up in tarps and chicken wire. Cute little critters, but sharp rodent teeth and goat stomachs!
Thank you, Claudia, for the lightning link! We have a cabin in Camp Nelson and appreciate the info!