Firefighters are on high alert after lightning sparked six wildfires Friday afternoon near Lake Isabella. A combination of hot temperatures and low humidity made it a tough day for firefighters. But, some afternoon rain helped crews quickly put out the flames.
The Dove Fire has burned almost 50 acres. It is in the Squirrel Valley area, above the community of Mountain Mesa, five miles east of Lake Isabella. It was started by lightning around 1:30 Friday afternoon.
Weather conditions Friday were nearly perfect for wildfires. It was the hottest day so far this week. It was also one of the driest. With increasing temperatures, humidity continues to remain dangerously low.
The low humidity poses a risk for wildfires in our mountain areas. When it is hot outside, the moisture evaporates from the air, drying out our local vegetation. If you throw in a lightning strike, you have perfect conditions for a brushfire.
"It was a wall of flames. Fortunately, we've cleared our property well, and by the grace of God the rain started and it just poured rain. It absolutely poured. All you could see was smoke and it put out the fire," said Sandy Embury.
Fire crews are also fighting five other, smaller fires in Jawbone Canyon, eight miles from Highway 14 on Jawbone Canyon Road.
Firefighters say there are no evacuations or road closures. Crews will work through the night mopping up the fires. They say the rain is helping firefighters and the Dove Fire was almost contained as of Friday afternoon.
