There are now at least 35 small lightning-sparked fires burning in the Stanislaus National Forest.

“These fires are spread all throughout the mid and higher elevations of the forest,” said Forest Service Spokesman Pat Kaunert. “We´re gearing up to make initial attack on these fires.”

The goal is to quickly contain the blazes and keep them small. Most of the fires are less than a quarter-acre in size.

Kaunert said firefighters will be “racing the clock” today as the temperatures heat up and conditions turn dry again. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-90s today.