The Hills Are Burning

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

While it’s uncommon, sometimes lightning does strike twice.

Southern California is known for a temperate climate, beachfront views, beautiful sunsets, and exorbitant costs of living. What it’s not known for is heat storms. Nonetheless, they happen fairly frequently in the summer months. Everyone knows that storms can be dangerous but when you couple that with California’s annual wildfire season, they take on a whole new life.

Lightning is obviously very dangerous. Everyone has heard the story of Ben Franklin’s kite and key combo acting as a lightning rod. While the validity of this story seems incredulous, the very believable aspect of it is lightning’s attraction to metal.  It is a fantastic conductor, especially when it is elevated by a rod, pole, or other high structure. This are known as “lightning rods” and while metal is a good conductor, any high structure can be dangerous in a lightning storm.

California is full of wilderness. State parks dot the landscape from the Redwood Forests up north to San Bernardino National Forest near the Riverside county / Orange county line. These forests are full of high structures commonly referred to as “trees”. These trees are typically very dry come summer time and, when struck by lightning, go up like a match. These types of fires grow very quickly, often threatening homes once they reach more populated areas. Houses affected by wildfires are oftentimes completely destroyed due to the overwhelming size and heat of these fires.

If your house is affected by a wildfire (caused by lightning or any other source), please give SERVPRO of Hesperia/Apple Valley and SERVPRO of Barstow/Twentynine Palms a call. With over 50 years in the fire restoration business, SERVPRO is your best bet for getting your home back to preloss condition.