GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Lightning has started dozens of new fires in the Northwest, forcing incident commanders to juggle crews and equipment as a new round of storms approaches.
Meanwhile, three firefighters who deployed emergency shelters when a thunderstorm whipped up the flames of a Northern California blaze were released unhurt from a hospital Tuesday, but weren't yet back on the fire line.
Fire spokesman Corey Wilford said there's no immediate word whether an investigation will be conducted, but they are usual in cases like this.
The Beaver Fire has prompted evacuations of 150 rural homes in a mountainous region of Siskiyou County.
The Northwest Incident Coordination Center in Portland reports more than 5,000 lightning strikes across Oregon and Washington, starting 68 new fires covering 13 square miles. More lighting is on the way.
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