Lightning Complex News Today

"It could have gone right over Highway 35, and burned down into Portola Valley and Palo Alto."

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Smith River Complex South Update 9/09/2023

Fires in upper elevations on the complex saw higher winds Wednesday into the evening, causing the Kelly Fire to merge with the Coon Fire.

The Smith River complex has now grown to 83,974 acres in Del Norte County and southern Oregon. Following a gusty 24 hours, firefighting efforts will be aided by some higher humidity and forecasted rain on the complex in the coming days, which is made up of at least 12 fires sparked by lightning over two weeks ago. The complex is 8% contained.

Many of the lightning-caused fires in Northern California have been burning for two weeks now, prompting evacuations. Thousands of firefighters are working on suppression efforts across the region, with resources spread over dozens of wildfires.

A weather pattern creating winds that are funneling smoke from fires burning in Northern California and Oregon will bring with it a Spare the Air alert Wednesday, air officials said.

A weather pattern creating winds that are funneling smoke from fires burning in Northern California and Oregon will bring with it a Spare the Air alert Wednesday, air officials said.

Many of the lightning-caused fires in Northern California have been burning for two weeks now, prompting evacuations. Thousands of firefighters are working on suppression efforts across the region, with resources spread over dozens of wildfires.

Evacuations have been ordered due to a group of rapidly growing fires in Northern California's Siskiyou County that was started by lightning.