THUNDER, LIGHTNING, HIGH WINDS FORECAST: HIGH FIRE DANGER

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By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Thunderstorms capable of heavy downpours, gusty winds and lightning strikes may hit our mountain and desert regions starting this weekend. The storms are forecast from Saturday through Tuesday, mainly in the afternoons and evenings.

The National Weather Service warns of potentially “frequent, deadly lightning strikes” and cautions, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”  Avoid ridgelines, lakes, pools or other bodies of water and stay away from tall objects that can attract a lightning strike.

While a drenching would be good for bringing water to our drought-parched region, lightning and high winds also mean increased fire danger.  Firefighters across the state are already spread thin battling numerous blazes in other counties, so it’s especially important to make sure you’ve cleared brush to provide defensible space around your home and avoid any activities that could cause a fire, such as improperly discarding cigarettes or using a weed whacker during hot, dry conditions when sparks could ignite dry brush.

A no-burn order remains in effect for all areas protected by Cal-Fire, meaning no burning leaves, trash, or campfires except in designated campfire rings in authorized campgrounds.

 


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