Mendocino storm could spark fires

The National Weather Service has issued a fire watch in connection with thunderstorms predicted to hit Mendocino County and other northern counties late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

"It's a heads-up to the CDF and other fire agencies battling these fires," said National Weather Service meteorologist Doug Boushey.

But the storms are expected to bring more rain and less lightning than the ones that sparked more than 100 fires in Mendocino County and more than 2,000 fires statewide in June, he said.

"It does not appear to be similar to what we had back in June," Boushey said.

Officials with Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency, say they're keeping a close watch but have not issued a red-flag fire warning indicative of high fire danger.

"We're concerned, but we're prepared," said Cal Fire spokeswoman Tracy Boudreaux.

She said there have been two other lightning forecasts since the June 20 thunderstorms that ignited the county's worst known fire season.

Both bypassed Mendocino County.

About 150 firefighters continue to combat still simmering Mendocino County fires, which have burned more than 53,000 acres, Boudreaux said.

If the storm materializes and brings mostly rain, it would boost firefighting efforts, she said. "The rain would be very beneficial."

The new storm system is expected to move through the county between about 11 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m Wednesday, Boushey said.

It's expected to primarily affect the county north of Willits, along with southern Humboldt and Trinity counties, he said.

The storm is coming from the south and is subtropical, Boushey said.

It's expected to initially be a dry storm but should turn wet quickly, lessening the fire hazard, he said.

Boushey said the fire warning was issued to be on the safe side.

"I don't want to downplay" the fire danger, he said. "But I don't want to overplay it, either."

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473

or glenda.anderson@

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