A wildfire and a rainbow: Dramatic photo shows California fire as storm rolls into region

Mono County residents fleeing a wind-driven wildfire on Thursday were
delivered relief in the form of a rainstorm. The Pack fire burned 3,400
acres near Crowley Lake and damaged around 15 homes. Hours after a
fierce, wind-whipped wildfire ignited in Mono County on Thursday
afternoon, damaging homes, a storm rolled in, bringing with it
much-needed precipitation. 

But it wasn’t a coincidence that the two extreme weather events took
place back to back. 

Quick-moving wildfires can ignite on the eastern side of the Sierra
right before a low-pressure system sweeps into the region in the fall
and winter, according to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. 

Though it may seem counterintuitive, these fires can spread rapidly
moments before rainstorms because strong, dry winds — induced by the
mountain rain shadow, or the dry region on the leeward side of a
mountain — often precede precipitation, he explained in a statement on
X. 

The Pack fire was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. near Crowley Lake
and grew from three acres to 1,000 within an hour, prompting evacuations
in nearby communities. A map of affected areas can be seen here. 

At 2:30 p.m., the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
reported that firefighting aircraft had been grounded because of
inclement weather as winds were blowing at 12 to 16 mph out of the
south, with gusts up to 24 mph. Later in the evening, Cal Fire reported
gusts of up to 50 mph. 

An estimated 15 homes at McGee Trailer Park were damaged by the fire,
while 30 more structures were threatened, according to Cal Fire. By
evening, the blaze had expanded to 3,400 acres. 

A photo shared by Cal Fire captured the fire meeting the arriving storm
— showing both wildfire smoke against a bright blue sky and a rainbow
emerging from a dark stormy sky. 

At 8 p.m., fire activity had decreased due to rainfall, and evacuation
orders were downgraded to warnings in Crowley Lake, while the
communities of Long Valley and McGee Creek remained under mandatory
evacuation orders. 

Escorts were available to help returning Crowley Lake residents navigate
road closures on Highway 395, which remained closed from Tom’s Place to
Benton Crossing Road, according to the California Department of
Transportation. Drivers traveling from Inyo County to northern Mono
County or Nevada were advised to use Highway 6 in Bishop as a detour. 

Evacuation centers were open at Mammoth Middle School in Mammoth Lakes
and at the Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop. 

A winter storm warning is in effect in Mono County from 1 p.m. Thursday
to 4 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts
of up to 70 mph are predicted along the highest peaks while gusts of up
to 50 mph are expected below 8,000 feet. 

The Pack fire was burning at an elevation of around 7,000 feet.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-11-13/pack-fire-mono-county
-bad-weather-grounds-firefighting-aircraft