5 lightning fires contained in Northern California forests

SUSANVILLE — U.S. Forest Service firefighters have contained several fires sparked by lightning strikes Tuesday in the Lassen and Plumas national forests.

In Lassen National Forest, one fire measured one tenth of an acre in the Thousand Lakes Wilderness and another fire measured eight acres near the Philbrook Reservoir.

The eight-acre fire, designated as the L-1 fire, began Tuesday evening and resources from the forest service and Cal Fire-Butte County responded to the fire.

Both of these fires are 100% contained and the first has been controlled, the forest service said.

Firefighters are working through Wednesday to monitor the L-1 fire.

In Plumas National Forest, firefighters responded to three lightning fires including two that measured one tenth acre near Gibsonville Ridge and near Lookout Rock. Both have since been contained, according to a release.

The third Plumas fire is contained at about half an acre, which began from a lightning strike to a cedar tree mid-slope the Keddie Ridge, the release said. Firefighters were reported working to mop up the rest of the fire Wednesday morning.

The forest service said more lightning is expected later in the week and that firefighters are prepared to respond.

“Lightning fires can hold over for more than two weeks after a lightning strike, typically becoming visible as conditions dry out,” the release said.