Gusty winds, low humidity prompt Red Flag Warning for Carson City, surrounding counties
Gusty winds and low humidity has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for Carson City and surrounding counties from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday.
With humidity expected to be between 14 to 19 percent, and gusty winds from the southwest 20 mph to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph, the combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them, NWS forecasters said.
The Northern Sierra Front forecast area for the Red Flag Warning includes Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon County and far southern Lassen County in California.
Forecasters and fire agencies advise to avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires and follow local fire restrictions.
For the Carson City area, the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space department advises that the Prison Hill OHV area will be closed during Red Flag high wind warning days. See story here.
Check weather.gov/reno for updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.
Looking ahead, forecasters note temperatures in Carson City, Carson Valley and Dayton areas will be seasonably warm, but not extremely hot, going into the weekend, with highs Wednesday and Thursday in the low 80s, Friday in the mid 80s and Saturday and Sunday in the mid-80s.
Lake Tahoe basin temperatures are forecast to be in the low 70s Wednesday and Thursday and low to mid 70s for the weekend.
Check back for updates.