WILDFIRES -- Lightning sparked more than 70 new fires on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests of northcentral Idaho during the past 24 hours, the Forest Service has just reported. During the storm, more than 2,500 lightning strikes hit the area.

Fire managers are busy staffing the new fires, identifying additional starts, and planning for numerous new fires expected from thunderstorms today.

• Click here to see all incidents reported in the Idaho Panhandle.

Meanwhile in the Nez Perce-Clearwater:

An additional 25 starts are burning on state and private land. Fire managers from all land-management agencies are working together to protect life, property and structures.

A fire is burning on state land in Lawyer’s Creek Canyon near Kamiah.

Temperatures are expected to be well above normal area over the next few days, with scattered thunderstorms today and Wednesday. Gusty winds remain a concern. With the chance of wetting rains at 10 percent and humidity predicted in the 20 percent range, new starts are likely.

The forests reported these updates:

Lochsa Ranger District: Twenty-five new fires, including at least five in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

Salmon River Ranger District:  Twenty-five new fires in the Pilot Knob area, including two under the Pilot Knob Lookout.

Red River Ranger District:  Nineteen new fires in the Pilot Knob and upper Newsome Creek drainages. Eight are already staffed.

Moose Creek Ranger District:  Five new fires, all staffed.

North Fork Ranger District:  Three new fires early Monday, holdovers from thunderstorms on Sunday night. All are staffed and expected to be completed today.

Palouse Ranger District:  No new fires.

Powell Ranger District:  No new fires.