Lockheed Fire in California Raging Out of Control

The last fire to burn this area was the Pine Mountain Fire in 1948.

Image courtesy: Accuweather.com

(SANTA CRUZ) - AccuWeather.com meteorologists do not believe that lightning started the fire that broke in the Santa Cruz Mountains of central California Wednesday evening.

The nearest thunderstorms were in southern Nevada and Arizona at that time.

The rapid spread of the fire was aided by winds gusting to nearly 20 mph. The fire is burning in a heavily wooded, evergreen forest area well south of San Francisco, north of Bonny Doon in Santa Cruz County.

The thick brush and rough terrain will make it difficult for ground fire control. Water drops via aircraft may be the best option at this time.

After a relatively calm start to the day with a few low clouds early, winds later today and Saturday will increase and are likely to gust from 20 to 30 mph at times from the west and northwest as a trough of low pressure swings through.

Smooke looms over Bonny Doon, Calif., Thursday, August 13, 2009. (AP Photo / Noah Berger) That trough of low pressure is not expected to bring appreciable rain to assist in fire fighting efforts.

The forecast winds do not account for the air flow generated by the fire itself, which always occurs, resulting in higher wind sustained speeds and gusts.

Funneling effects of the wind through the valleys and canyons can also affect the fire and hinder extinguishing efforts.

As of Thursday evening, officials stated the fire was zero percent contained and has rapidly burned 2,800 acres. Over 1,000 homes are threatened in the Swanton-Davenport-Bonny Doon area, and mandatory evacuations have forced over 2,000 people from their homes.

The last fire to burn this area was the Pine Mountain Fire in 1948.

The forecast winds the next couple of days could drive the fire farther to the east and south. Winds will push smoke into nearby areas to the south and east. The smoke plume, extending over Monterey Bay, was visible from satellite photos Thursday afternoon.

This is the prime wildfire season on California and much of the west due to the dry fuel present, blazing sunshine and extreme heat typically found. A push of cooler air will lower the fire danger in the Northwest the next couple of days.

Source: Accuweather.com