Gusty winds prompt Red Flag Warning for Carson City, surrounding counties
Gusty wind and scattered thundershowers has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning for critical fire conditions in the Carson City area and surrounding counties Saturday and Sunday.
Scattered thunderstorms with little to no rainfall. and outflow winds with gusts upwards of 50 mph are likely over the next two days, NWS forecasters said. The Red Flag Warning runs through Saturday and into Sunday evening.
The warning area is for the Northern Sierra Front, greater Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas along with Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Washoe and Lyon counties as well as West Humboldt Basin in Pershing County, Lahontan Basin including Churchill and Eastern Mineral counties and southern Lassen County in California.
Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
People should avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires and follow local fire restrictions.
Check weather.gov/reno for updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.