Lightning prompts concerns as Central and Northern California firefighters battle raging wildfires

Time lapse video show Garnet Fire rage in Fresno County, California

Time lapse video show Garnet Fire rage in Fresno County, California

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. – Fire crews in California's Sierra National Forest are concerned that lightning from thunderstorms over the next few days may spark additional fires after two wildfires spread rapidly in Central and Northern California on Monday, prompting evacuations that included areas outside Fresno, California's most populous inland city.

Fire officials managing the Garnet Fire burning in Fresno County said Tuesday that lightning caused several fires within the overall fire complex.

This comes as parts of Northern California are once again under Fire Weather Warnings due to what the National Weather Service said is the potential for "abundant lightning on dry fuels." 

Several wildfires along the California-Oregon border were caused by lightning earlier this week. Siskiyou County, which was under a similar Fire Weather Warning on Monday, had to order evacuations due to the Dillon Fire, which has already burned over 2,000 acres.

Garnet Fire rages in Fresno County, California, on Tuesday morning, Aug. 26, 2025.

(ALERTCalifornia)

The Garnet Fire has now scorched more than 9,100 acres across Sierra National Forest in Central California, according to officials, after sparking around 2 p.m. Sunday.

"A partial forest closure is in place in the area of the lightning fires," Sierra National Forest firefighters wrote in their Tuesday evening update. 

"Crews are remaining alert to the likely possibility of finding additional starts in the next few days."

CALIFORNIA’S PICKETT FIRE EXPLODES IN SIZE DURING ONGOING HOT TEMPERATURES ACROSS WEST COAST

Bulldozers strengthen fire containment infrastructure in Fresno County.

(US National Forest Service - Sierra National Forest / FOX Weather)

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has ordered evacuations in the mountainous area northeast of the city, closest to the flames.

Sierra National Forest officials said the steep terrain has also prevented firefighters from using bulldozers to create containment lines around the fire, complicating the task. The fire is currently burning uncontrolled, according to officials. 

Avocado Lake Park, a popular recreation destination, has been closed and is being used as a staging area, according to forest officials.

The cause of the Garnet Fire is under investigation.

WHAT IS FIRE CONTAINMENT?

Dillon Fire rages near California-Oregon border

The Dillon Fire has burned more than 2,100 acres in Siskiyou County close to the California-Oregon border, according to the U.S. Forest Service in Six Rivers National Forest.

Officials said the fire started Monday night, and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for some places along California State Highway 96.

Firefighters said Highway 96 remains open, but that could "change by the moment."

The county was under a Fire Weather Warning Sunday and Monday due to abundant dry lightning, although the specific cause of the Dillon Fire is still under investigation. Lightning did cause several fires in nearby Klamath National Forest at that time.

CAL FIRE said Siskiyou County had received 2,790 lightning strikes Sunday night.

Image of the Dillon Fire on Aug. 25, 2025.

(ALERTCalifornia)