Dry Thunderstorms a Problem for Recent Wildfires

High winds and the threat of dry thunderstorms are causing problems for firefighters in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California. Incident Meteorologists or IMETs have been tracking the weather near the area since the fire began. The cause of the fire, which has already burned nearly 219 square miles of land, may have been human-induced although no one will speculate if it was accidental or intentional. Dry lightning has been ruled out as a cause of this particular fire. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that the fire is only 22% contained.

A similar threat for dry lightning is looming for the Mill Flat fire in Utah as well. FEMA recently authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Mill Flat Fire which is located in Washington County, near New Harmony, Utah.