Recent Thunderstorms Bring Lightning Fires to The Modoc NF

Alturas, Calif., Aug. 4, 2025— Modoc National Forest, along with off-forest resources assigned to
the area, has responded to a total of 38 lightning-caused fires since July 24. These fires were ignited
by daily thunderstorms that brought significant lightning to the region. Thanks to the swift and
efficient work of firefighters, all these fires have remained small and are either contained, controlled,
or fully extinguished.
The largest of the 38 fires were the Mammoth Fire and the Howards Fire, while the others remained
under 10 acres in size.
The Mammoth Fire was reported on July 25, west of the Dry Lake fire station off Highway 139. It
burned through grass, sage, and junipers and was fully contained by July 31, burning a total of 2,533
acres. The Howards Fire was reported in the late afternoon of July 31, above Howards Gulch on the
north side of the highway, affecting grass, brush, and juniper. This fire was contained at 100 acres by
August 3.
Despite the significant rainfall from the storms, there is still a risk of new fires starting in the coming
days as temperatures rise and conditions become drier. Modoc National Forest fire resources are
prepared to respond to any new incidents.
If you see smoke, please call 911 immediately. Provide your location and any nearby landmarks to
help responders locate the source of the smoke. For your safety, and for the safety of firefighters,
please avoid entering any fire-affected areas.
To help reduce the firefighters' workload, be cautious with any activities that could start a wildfire and
follow the fire restrictions currently in effect for Modoc National Forest. Campfires are only permitted
in wilderness areas (with a valid California Campfire Permit) and in designated recreation sites. For a
list of designated recreation sites and more information about fire restrictions, please visit
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/modoc.
To obtain your free California Campfire Permit, visit https://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/. Permits
are also required outside of designated recreation sites for the use of portable lanterns or stoves fueled
by gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel, which must have shut-off valves. Always ensure
that there is a five-foot clearance of vegetation around these items when in use.
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