Lightning strike starts fire in Alpine County

Firefighters to a fire started by a lightning strike near Diamond Valley School in Alpine County.

Thunderstorms came up on Thursday shortly after 4 p.m., traveling northwest from the Sierra crest.

The Diamond fire was reported to the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch at 4:49 p.m. at a half acre.

Firefighters were setting up to protect Diamond Valley School and surrounding homes.

Residents in the Pine Nuts and the Gardnerville Ranchos reported smoke to the southwest, which turned out to be from the Woodfords fire.

A red flag warning is in effect until tonight around 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The warning is to alert of critical weather and fuel moisture conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.