An unusual scene developed in the skies over parts of Northern California on Tuesday. Small thunderstorms have popped up in the region through the late morning hours. The activity was focused north of Sacramento through early morning,

Rain is on the way for Northern California and the Valley, with showers expected in Sacramento, Modesto, Merced and Fresno.

Two new wildfires exploded in Central and Northern California on Monday, prompting evacuations that included areas outside Fresno, California's most populous inland city.

Ten structures — including four homes — have been destroyed by a wildfire sweeping through central Oregon as thousands of homes in the state and in Northern California wine country remained under evacuation orders Monday.

Firefighters are battling Oregon's Flat Fire covering 22,000 acres and threatening hundreds of structures despite recent weather improvements and new containment lines.