The monsoon arrived with just about every hazard it brings with it over the weekend along with some much needed rain. Lightning sparked fires on the Coconino, Kaibab and Tonto National Forests. The Wood Fire on the Coconino is burning near the Red Rock Ranger Station and was last reported at 80-acres. Spokesman George Jozens says they responded to more than 20-lightning strike fires over the weekend with several smoke checks being conducted today. Tonto National Forest had the Vista Fire outside Payson that burned less than 2-acres and the North Kaibab Ranger District had 7-lightning sparked fires over the weekend. The largest of the fires was the Kwagunt Fire, which burned 150-acres. The monsoon also brought several dust storms to the Phoenix, Queen Creek and Tucson areas, a microburst west of Wickenburg and lake warnings for boaters on Bartlett and Horseshoe Lakes. We’ll see a continued chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout this week and next weekend. Currently showers and thunderstorms are likely today and tonight with a 50% chance each day through Friday with a 40% chance over the weekend.
