Wildfire — Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, California

2017-09-11 · Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, California

Event narrative

Various lightning strikes sparked 15 fires in Monterey County that were contained on the same day http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/13/crews-contain-15-fires-started-by-lightning-in-monterey-county/. Timing has been estimated.

Wider weather episode

A disturbance rotating around an upper level low west of San Diego brought thunderstorm activity to the Bay Area on September 11. Widespread reports of lightning were received along with a few small hail reports and strong wind gusts. It has been reported that there were over 40,000 lightning strikes across the Central Coast of California during this event. Several brush fires were also ignited due to lightning strikes.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 719054. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.