Red Flag warning extended to late Wednesday for Caldor and Dixie fire areas, Western Nevada
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 8:02pm
A Red Flag fire weather warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin, including the Caldor Fire area, the Northern Sierra Front including the Dixie Fire area and western Nevada was extended to late Wednesday due to continued unstable conditions, gusty winds and low humidity, according to the National Weather Service.
The Red Flag warning was to expire at 11 p.m. Tuesday but was extended to 11 p.m. Wednesday. The affected areas are the Greater Lake Tahoe and Truckee area, Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen counties, Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, Southern Lyon, and Western Mineral counties.
Forecasters say winds will be from the Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 35 mph. Gusts may reach 40 mph in some locations Tuesday, especially along Highway 395. Winds gusts may exceed 50 mph over ridge lines in the Sierra late Monday night and Tuesday. Humidity will be between 5 and 15 percent.
The combination of unstable conditions, gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity. The weather service advises to avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires.
