Dozens of lightning sparked fires kept local fire agencies and National Forest crews busy this weekend. Sunday, Verde Valley Chief Nazih Hazime says crews responded to a lightning strike fire on Beaverhead Flats Road off Highway 179. He says lightning caused fires are common at the start of Monsoon. Hazime warns residents and visitors to seek shelter when storms arrive as lightning strikes are usually frequent and unpredictable. During the time of The Beaverhead fire, Sedona fire responded to a telephone pole on Highway 179 that caught fire after also being hit by lightning. Damages were kept to the pole itself. In addition, Coconino, Kaibab and Tonto National Forests reported a total of 48 lightning sparked fires this weekend.
