LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Due to the heat and the resulting fire concerns, the National Weather Service has issued weather statements for areas of Northern California, including Lake County. 

The agency said hot temperatures – and, with them, concerns of mountain thunderstorms and fire danger – are expected to extend from Friday through the weekend, with the potential for more thunderstorms and rainfall around the region early next week.

Forecasters said hot and dry conditions are priming fuels for enhanced fire danger.

Fire danger already is high in Lake County, where firefighters battled two wildland fires on Thursday afternoon near Clearlake and Clearlake Oaks.

The forecast calls for temperatures on Friday to be around the century mark, tapering off into the low 90s into next week. Light winds of up to 8 miles per hour also are forecast.

Officials urge area residents to use extra heat precautions if attending outdoor events or working outside.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.