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Hours after a fierce, wind-whipped wildfire ignited in Mono County on Thursday afternoon, damaging homes, a storm rolled in, bringing with it much-needed precipitation.
But it wasn’t coincidence that the two extreme weather events took place back to back.
Quick-moving wildfires can ignite on the eastern side of the Sierra right before a low-pressure system sweeps into the region in the fall and winter, according to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain.
Though it may seem counterintuitive, these fires can spread rapidly moments before rainstorms because strong, dry winds — induced by the mountain rain shadow, or the dry region on the leeward side of a mountain — often precede precipitation, he explained in a statement on X.
The Pack fire was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. near Crowley Lake and grew from three acres to 1,000 within an hour, prompting evacuations in nearby communities. A map of affected areas can be seen here.
At 2:30 p.m., Cal Fire reported that firefighting aircraft had been grounded because of inclement weather as winds were blowing at 12 to 16 mph out of the south, with gusts up to 24 mph. Later in the evening, Cal Fire reported gusts of up to 50 mph.
The Pack fire burns Thursday near Crowley Lake in Mono County, closing Highway 395.
(Cal Fire San Bernardino Unit)
An estimated 15 homes at McGee Trailer Park were damaged by the fire, while 30 more structures were threatened, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. By evening, the blaze had expanded to 3,400 acres.
A photo shared by Cal Fire captured the fire meeting the arriving storm — showing both wildfire smoke against a bright blue sky and a rainbow emerging from a dark stormy sky.
At 8 p.m., fire activity had decreased due to rainfall, and evacuation orders were downgraded to warnings in Crowley Lake, while the communities of Long Valley and McGee Creek remained under mandatory evacuation orders.
Escorts were available to help returning Crowley Lake residents navigate road closures on Highway 395, which remained closed from Tom’s Place to Benton Crossing Road, according to the California Department of Transportation. Drivers traveling from Inyo County to northern Mono County or Nevada were advised to use Highway 6 in Bishop as a detour.
Evacuation centers were open at Mammoth Middle School in Mammoth Lakes and at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop.
A winter storm warning is in effect in Mono County from 1 p.m. Thursday to 4 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of up to 70 mph are predicted along the highest peaks while gusts of up to 50 mph are expected below 8,000 feet.
The Pack fire was burning at around 7,000 feet elevation.
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Clara Harter
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