Overview
- The National Weather Service expects thunderstorm activity, gusty winds and localized heavy rain across much of the state through next week, with a high potential for dry lightning.
- Governor Gavin Newsom directed Cal OES, CAL FIRE, CHP and Caltrans to coordinate closely with local emergency managers to prepare for potential impacts.
- CAL FIRE increased staffing statewide, including 24-hour hand crews, additional reserve engines in every operational unit and extra strike team leaders in Northern California.
- Contract counties expanded capacity: Ventura and Santa Barbara each added five Type 3 wildland engines plus one hand crew, Kern added five engines, Los Angeles added two hand crews, and Marin staffed a hand crew around the clock.
- Officials urged residents to pack go-bags, enroll in county emergency alerts and follow lightning safety guidance, citing last month’s lightning siege that produced more than 110,000 strikes, over 530 fires and nearly 29,000 acres burned.