SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Thursday evening and overnight, there were 136 lightning strikes in the area of El Dorado, Alpine, and Amador counties, according to the CalFire Amador El Dorado Unit (AEU). Further north, there were over 5,900 strikes.
On Friday, starting around noon, expect more active thunderstorm activity, especially around the Lake Tahoe Basin. According to weather reports, heavy thunderstorms are expected at South Lake Tahoe from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
With lightning comes the threat of new fires. CalFire AEU responded to two lightning strike fires Thursday night, the Hazel and Sliger fires. The Sliger Fire near Georgetown was reported after 9 p.m. and burned 14.4 acres before being contained, and the Hazel Fire east of Fresh Pond was reported at 2:30 a.m. Friday was small, mapped at .25 acres before it was out.
When thunderstorms approach, stay off the lake. The National Weather Service says to know the 30-30 rule: When you see lightning, count the time until you hear thunder. If that is 30 seconds or less, the thunderstorm is close enough to be dangerous and seek shelter (if you can’t see the lightning, just hearing the thunder is a good backup rule). Wait 30 minutes or more after the lightning flash before leaving shelter.
Lightning strikes Thursday afternoon-Friday morning:
