A timelapse video shared on social media shows thousands of lightning strikes bombarding California on Tuesday, resulting in a wildfire outbreak across the state.

Newsweek reached out to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Dry thunderstorms hit California on Tuesday, creating over 10,000 lightning strikes that greatly increased the state's wildfire risk. Dozens of blazes ignited from the storms. In one case, a lightning strike sparked the 6-5 Fire, which r apidly scorched the historic California "Gold Rush" town of Chinese Camp, including burning several homes.

What To Know

Shortly after the storms struck, extreme-weather chaser Colin McCarthy shared satellite data on X that showed lightning spread across Calif

See Full Page