[INCIDENT UPDATE] #RockFire# Around 3 p.m. today, thunderstorm cells moved over the Rock Fire, generating multiple lightning strikes and strong downdrafts that forced several crews to shelter in place. The lightning activity ignited several new fires on the north end of the incident in the Red Mountain area. The largest of these starts grew to an estimated 200 acres; however, all activity remains west of Highway 395. Firefighters will work through the night to construct containment lines around these new starts. All fire activity remains within established geographic incident objectives. Earlier in the day, firefighters made steady progress, constructing additional hand line along portions of the fire, including the southern flank. A helitack crew was inserted into the western sector to build containment line, but incoming afternoon thunderstorms forced an evacuation of the area for crew safety. On the northeastern flank, the main fire held within existing containment lines. High temperatures in the low 100s will produce severe heat conditions, further hindering fire suppression efforts. Additional thunderstorms forecast for Saturday afternoon may pose further safety hazards to personnel and impede line construction.