The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency announced this (Monday) morning, that the Fire Danger rating in the County will remain in the “High” category through this Thursday, August 1st. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert said that’s because no rain fell over the county this past weekend.

There is the potential for thunderstorms through Thursday, and Seivert says if they do develop, those storms will provide only minimal relief, from the extensive dry conditions. He says one phenomenon they rarely experience in the area is “dry” lightening.

Dry lightening is created when the thunderstorm complex develops, and minimal rain is dropped but the cloud to ground lightening is very intense. Seivert says with the very dry conditions, a lightening strike may start a fire, in  unexpected and or remote locations. 

He encourages the public to report fires, and smoke plumes  promptly, to 9-1-1. Seivert says a quick response may prevent a catastrophic event from developing.