Lightning fires erupt as scattered thunder, rain hit L.A. County during heat wave

Multiple little lightning fires erupted on Saturday morning as thunder and brief rain showers moved across parts of Los Angeles County, surprising many as an extended heat wave continues through the weekend.

The National Weather Service reported scattered, fast-moving showers, isolated thunderstorms and lightning across L.A. County and nearby coastal areas around 7:40 a.m. KTLA meteorologist Kasey Montoya noted that dry lightning remains a fire concern.

As of 10 a.m. Saturday, lightning strikes had already ignited at least four fires in the Angeles National Forest.

According to state officials, crews are responding to a single tree lightning fire in Mt. Baldy near Manker Flats, two small lightning fires southwest of the Little Rock community, and another lightning fire near Table Mountain. No evacuations have been ordered.

Forecasters said thunderstorm potential will continue through the heat wave and into Tuesday, with the highest and most widespread risk on Saturday.

Despite heat remaining a hazard, NWS said monsoonal showers are likely to hit in the Ventura and Los Angeles County mountains and the Antelope Valley. However, some rain is evaporating before it hits the ground because of a dry layer, which can leave lightning and wind without much rain at the surface.

Extreme Heat Warnings are still in effect until 9 p.m. Sunday for wide areas of Southwest California, with highs around 90° to near 105° and warm nights offering little relief.

A Heat Advisory for the Inland Empire, Orange County and the L.A./Ventura beaches is expected to expire, and a Red Flag fire-weather warning is set to end Saturday evening.

Friday’s heat set or tied daily records, according to NWS LA: Woodland Hills reached 110°, breaking the 2006 mark of 109; Sandberg reached 95°, breaking 93 set in 2013; Lancaster reached 106°, tying the 2022 record; Camarillo reached 88°, tying the 2020 record; and Oxnard reached 89°, tying the 2020 record.

Forecast highs remain above average on Saturday: 103° Woodland Hills, 96° Burbank, 90° Hollywood, 91° Long Beach and Irvine, 80° Manhattan and Newport beaches.

As for the fire concerns with chances of dry lightning, agencies have pre-positioned crews, hand teams and helicopters near recent burn scars.

Power demand is also in focus. Earlier this week, about 25,000 customers in southern Camarillo lost power. Southern California Edison is considering targeted safety shutoffs for roughly 10,000 customers—mostly in L.A. County—as a fire-prevention step; none had been ordered as of late Friday.