Firefighters respond to several brush fires across the Central Coast

A rare summer storm has brought rain, thunder and lightning to the Central Coast. Cal Fire officials say the threat of lightning strikes have firefighters on high alert and so far firefighters have responded to at least five fires Sunday.

The latest fire sparked just before 4 p.m. off Rancho San Carlos Road in Carmel Valley. Cal Fire said the fire has burned 3 acres. Firefighters are having trouble accessing the blaze due to thick brush. Firefighters have dropped retardant surrounding the fire to prevent it from spreading, Cal Fire said.

Just before 2 p.m., firefighters were able to fully contain a 10-acre fire off Quien Sabe Road east of Hollister. Then in Point Lobos firefighters also got the upper hand on a quarter acre blaze.

Finally, firefighters put out several spot fires one in Carmel near Carpenter Road, another in Big Sur and a third in South Monterey County near Lake San Antonio.

Cal Fire added as lightning continues firefighters will continue to keep a close watch.