CDF / Cal-Fire battle hundreds of wildland fires following a record breaking number on lightning strikes in one day. Inset graphic is the Automated Lightning Detection system illustrating the 3,200 strikes on Saturday 21 June, 2008.
The terrain is very steep and rugged in many of the fire zones, conditions that greatly increase the risk to the fire fighters. Fighting alongside the CDF/Cal-fire crews are volunteer state inmates, a specialized and highly trained team that gets less than their fair share of recognition.(pictured)