Dry lightning, gusty winds predicted Friday night, weather service issues Red Flag Warning

National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the Central Coast down to Southern California due to predicted dry lightning and gusty winds. The warning is expected to remain in effect until 11 p.m. Friday, when scattered showers are forecast.

The risk of additional dry lightning strikes has promted Cal Fire to increase its staffing in the areas affected, reports Daniel Berlant with Cal Fird.

The increase in personnel includes staffing reserve fire engines and additional inmate fire crews and bulldozers.

Two weeks ago, the state was pummeled by a series of dry lightning thunderstorms that resulted in over 50,000 lightning strikes, sparking approximately 200 wildfires, which burned nearly 70,000 acres. The increased fire activity kept firefighters busy for over a week and served as a reminder of how dry conditions are across the state, said Berlant.

Cal Fire urges everyone to remain extra fire safe and help prevent new fires.

A few helpful reminders and safety tips include:

• Any mowing or weed eating should be done before 10 a.m. (and NEVER during extremely dry conditions).

• Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.

• Ensure campfires are permitted and, if so, be sure to extinguish them completely when done

• Never pull your vehicle over in tall dry grass

For more ways to help prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.