Lightning Strikes Blamed For San Bernardino Spot Fires
SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — A series of lightning strikes early Monday were behind several small fires and a power outage that affected more than 1,400 homes in the Inland Empire, officials said.
KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports at least nine spot fires were reported in the San Bernardino National Forest after lightning strikes were reported starting at around 5 a.m.
Lightning Strikes Blamed For San Bernardino Spot Fires
A quarter-acre fire was the first to be reported around 5:03 a.m. after it struck south of Highway 18 and east of Skyforest on Sycamore Lane in the San Bernardino mountains. It was extinguished within minutes, officials said.
Lightning-related fires were also reported at Live Oak Drive, Running Springs; Pali; Deep Creek; Crestline/Lake Gregory at Pioneer Camp Road; Lake Arrowhead at Angle Way; Rim High; Hook Creek Boy Scout Camp; and Silverwood at Sawpit Canyon.
Several area schools were also without power following the strikes, including Richardson, Allred, Lytle Creek, Middle College and Urbita, according to Southern California Edison. Classes were expected to continue as scheduled.
Fire engines, hand crews, and helicopter water drops were working to suppress any new fires.
The U.S. Forest Service was expected to conduct reconnaissance flights as part of a normal operating plan after lightning storms.
