Numerous thunderstorms with little or no rainfall spread across interior Northern California on June 21st. Approximately 8000 lightning strikes were detected, sparking as many as 2000 wildfires across Northern California. These fires destroyed numerous structures and caused multiple deaths and injuries. Evacuations were ordered for affected communities. Smoke from the wildfires caused respiratory problems across the region. Due to a lack of resources, many fires were not initially attacked with fire crews and some fires were expected to continue to burn for the remainder of the fire season.

Wildfire in MOUNTAINS SOUTHWEST SHASTA COUNTY TO NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 05:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

Lightning on June 21st started a number of fires in western Tehama and southwestern Shasta counties. Several of these fires were combined as the SHU Complex which included the Whiskeytown Complex. By the end of June, 52,000 acres were burned with 6 firefighter injuries, 3 residences destroyed, and 2 additional buildings damaged. There were also 230 residences and 37 commercial buildings threatened. The fires in the complex extended into the northern Sacramento Valley (CA-Z015) and into the vicinity of Lake Shasta (CA-Z013). The fires had only 15 percent containment at the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.  In addition, the Yolla Bolly Complex covered 3900 acres but with no injuries or threatened structures.  These fires had only 5 percent containment at the end of the month and are also continued in the July Storm Data entry.

Wildfire in NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 05:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

Lightning on June 21st started a number of fires in western Tehama and southwestern Shasta counties. These fires were combined as the SHU Complex, which included the Whiskeytown Complex. By the end of June, 52,000 acres were burned with 6 firefighter injuries (see entry for CA-Z013), 3 residences destoyed, and 2 additional buildings damaged. There were also 230 residences and 37 commercial buildings threatened. The fires in the complex extended into the foothills of the Coastal Range (CA-Z063) and into the vicinity of Lake Shasta (CA-Z013).  The fires had only 15 percent containment by the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm data entry.

Wildfire in SHASTA LAKE/NORTH SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 05:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

Lightning on June 21st started a number of fires in western Tehama and southwestern Shasta counties. These fires were combined as the SHU Complex which included the Whiskeytown Complex. By the end of June, 52,000 acres were burned with 6 firefighter injuries, 3 residences  destroyed, and 2 additional buildings damaged. There were also 230 residences and 37 commercial buildings threatened. The fires in the complex extended into the northern Sacramento Valley (CA-Z015) and into the vicinity of Lake Shasta (CA-Z013). The fires had only 15 percent containment by the end of June and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.

Wildfire in NORTHEAST FOOTHILLS/SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 13:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

The Butte Lightning Complex (BTU) consisted of 34 fires ignited by lightning strikes on June 21st and spread over 16,000 acres, extending into the central Sacramento Valley (CA-Z016). There were 6 minor injuries to firefighters reported, 2 structures destroyed, and 1200 residences threatened. Multiple evacuations and road closures were ordered.  The fires had only 25 percent containment by the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.

Wildfire in CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 13:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

The Butte Lightning Complex (BTU) consisted of 34 fires ignited by lightning strikes on June 21st spread over 16,000 acres. There were 6 minor injuries to firefighters reported (see CA-Z066 entry), 2 structures destroyed, and 1200 residences threatened. Multiple evacuations and road closures were ordered. The fires extended into the northeast foothills of the Sierra Nevada (CA-Z066), where most of the fires and injuries were located.  The fires had only 25 percent containment by the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.

Wildfire in MT SHASTA/WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 12:30:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

Two fire complexes were initiated by lightning on June 21st. The Canyon Complex fires covered 12,922 acres and threatened 53 structures, but there were no injuries or destroyed structures.  The fires had only 5 percent containment by the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.  The Cub Complex fires covered 3622 acres and had no injuries or threatened structures.  They were 15 percent contained by the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.

Wildfire in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 21-JUN-08 13:00:00 to 30-JUN-08 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: State Official

Lightning strikes resulted in the development of the American River Fire Complex (located 11 miles northeast of Foresthill) and the Yuba River Complex (located 15 miles northeast of Grass Valley). Combined, the fires burned 7,142 acres, injured 12 firefighters, destroyed 1 residence, and threatened 116 additional structures. The fires had only 35 percent containment by the end of the month and are continued in the July Storm Data entry.