Thunder and lightning storms kill 2 California women, spark brush fires
Pastor Dale Morgan
Thunder and lightning storms kill 2 California women, spark brush fires*
6:49 PM | June 3, 2009
LATimes
Portions of Southern California were hit by thunderstorms and lightning
today, causing at least two deaths and sparking several small brush fires.
In Fontana, authorities said a 35-year-old woman was struck by lightning
in front of her home. Earlier in Big Bear Lake, a tree snapped about 11
a.m. and fell on a vehicle traveling on Catalina Road just north of
Avalon Road. The vehicle was crushed and at least one person was
confirmed dead, according to a news release from the Big Bear Lake Fire
Department.
Weather conditions also fueled lightning strikes that sparked at least
15 fires -- the largest of which burned about 150 acres -- in the San
Bernardino National Forest. Most of the fires were less than one acre.
Another small fire was reported this afternoon in San Dimas.
Details on the Fontana death were unclear. But helicopter footage from
KABC showed burns on a tree next to where the woman was apparently
struck. The Associated Press confirmed the death with the San Bernardino
County coroner, who said the woman's identity has not been released.