LIGHTENING STRIKES ARE POSSIBLE THIS WEEK ALONG THE CENTRAL COAST, AND GIVEN THE DROUGHT CONDITIONS THIS YEAR, THAT’S A PARTICULARLY OMINOUS POSSIBILITY. CAL-FIRE HAS HIRED EXTRA INSPECTORS (WHOSE JOB WILL BE TO MAKE SURE THAT HOMEOWNERS ARE MAINTAINING A 100-FOOT DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND THEIR HOMES). THOSE INSPECTORS ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO REMOVE FLAMMABLE VEGETATION, TRIM BRANCHES, SPACE OUT TREES AND PLANTS……..AND JUST GENERALLY CREATE A BUFFER ZONE AROUND THEIR HOMES.11 YEARS AGO, DURING ONE PARTICULAR “STORM”, PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WERE HIT BY MORE THAN 1 THOUSAND LIGHTENING STRIKES PER HOUR.
