Hanford, Calif. – Fire danger is climbing in the Sierra Nevada today as the National Weather Service warns of possible dry lightning in higher elevations from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park. Storms developing this afternoon may produce little to no rainfall, heightening the threat for new wildfires in areas already facing below-average fuel moisture.
According to the NWS Hanford office, warm, dry air will cause much of the precipitation to evaporate before reaching the ground, leaving lightning as the primary hazard. Areas at greatest risk include Yosemite National Park, Mammoth Lakes, Oakhurst, Bishop and surrounding forest lands. The fire weather outlook places these locations under elevated to critical conditions through Friday night.
Residents, campers and backcountry hikers are urged to remain alert for changing weather and avoid activities that could spark fires. Visitors should be prepared to evacuate quickly if fires ignite and monitor updates from park and county officials.
Conditions are expected to ease overnight, but forecasters warn additional fire weather watches could be issued if dry thunderstorms return this weekend.
