There’s a chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning in Santa Barbara County Thursday and Friday, increasing the risk of wildfires, the National Weather Service said.
The agency issued a Red Flag warning for interior mountains Thursday, in effect through 8 p.m. Friday, because of the potential for dry lightning and strong winds.
“These conditions increase the risk for fire ignition with a quick rate of spread,” county emergency officials said in an alert of their own on Thursday.
They also noted that the Cuyama Valley will have hot temperatures, up to 105 degrees, for the next week.
Recent heatwaves and dry weather have dried out vegetation, adding to the fire risk, officials said.
The Lake Fire has burned 38,664 acres in the eastern Santa Ynez Valley and forest areas, and was 95% contained as of Thursday. The area was under a Red Flag Warning for weeks, making conditions challenging for firefighters.
The 1,538-acre Apache Fire, burning in Ventura County, was 90% contained.