Heat, erratic winds and possible lightning could complicate the battle against California wildfire

Associated Press

CHICO, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend. The forecast calls for possible thunderstorms that may unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds that could erode progress made over the past week. Weather, fuels and terrain are expected to pose challenges for the nearly 6,400 firefighters battling the Park Fire, which erupted in a wilderness park in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Chico. The fire’s push northward has brought it toward the rugged lava rock landscape surrounding Lassen Volcanic National Park, which has been closed because of the threat. Cal Fire says lava rocks make for hard and slow work for hand crews.