Quick Look: California Wildfires Today

In Memory: July 23, 2007 – Elk Complex
2 tragedies resulting in three fatalities occurred on this date in 2007. Pilot Dennis Davis was killed when his helicopter crashed while delivering water to crews on the Norcross Fire of the Elk Complex, Klamath National Forest. For more information, visithttp://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/84-dennis-davis.html .
Also on the Elk Complex, two private camp personnel, George Barbis and Richard Pearson Jr., drowned in the Klamath River near Happy Camp while off-duty. For more information, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/72-elk-complex-2-drownings.html .

NASA's Landsat Satellite Celebrates 40 Years Observing Earth - The Landsat program is the longest continuous

WEATHER DISCUSSION:  

**Thunderstorms possible near the higher terrain during the afternoon and evening hours through Wednesday**

High pressure over the Midwest will steer some “monsoonal” moisture into the area during the first half of the week.  This will result in an increase in afternoon RH over many areas along with a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

  However, the atmosphere will only be marginally unstable during the next few days which will limit thunderstorms to the mountains and higher terrain in the deserts.  The storms will begin during the mid to late afternoon and are now expected to dissipate each evening.

  The eastern slopes of the Sierras as well as the north aspects of the San Bernardino and Cleveland N.F.’s stand the best chance of seeing thunderstorm activity. 

 A few dry strikes may occur in the southern Sierras during the initial storms this afternoon, but as deeper moisture arrives, all storms should produce limited rainfall by evening and throughout the Monday through Wednesday time-frame.

  Temperatures will still be warm through the middle of the week with highs in the upper 90s to 103 in the valleys to 115 in the deserts.  Most areas will see minimum RH remain above 20% but the interior sections of the central coast, which will not see any increase in moisture, will continue to see minimums in the teens.  By Thursday a trough will deepen over the northern part of the state, which will lead to an increase in onshore flow and cooler  afternoon temperatures.

  By Friday,  highs should return to near normal over the district.  It may turn windy in the deserts by next weekend.  No thunderstorms are expected after Wednesday.  END/RK

EXTENDED OUTLOOK: Tuesday through Saturday…

Coast and Coastal Valleys: No significant fire weather expected. 

Inland Valleys and Surrounding Foothills: No significant fire weather expected. 

Mountains: Scattered wet thunderstorms through Wednesday. 

Sierras: Scattered wet thunderstorms through Wednesday. 

Deserts: Scattered wet thunderstorms through Wednesday. 

Current California Wildland Fires

NOPS/ONCC
CA-LNU- Ranch Fire 75 acres, grass and brush, 100% contained. moderate rate of spread. 20 acres with multiple structures threatened slope driven, forward progress stopped, potential for 500

CA-LNU- Forrest Fire. 520 acres, 95% contained.
Location: Forrest Ave, Guinda, CA 

SOPS/OSCC
CA-OVD- Biederman N/O Mono Lake & E/O Hwy 395, Biederman Mountain area. FRA (BLM) 40 acres, 0% contained. Moderate Rate of Spread, Sage Brush, Potential threat to Bodie State Park
Fire is reported as lightning caused. 
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