Fire Weather Watch dropped for area, Red Flag Warning in place Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds for Monday, July 27 from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

Normally, the Basin averages six Red Flag Warnings per season, and this makes four - and it's still July. Please remember all outdoor sources of open flame are prohibited until the Red Flag Warning declaration expires, and that includes gas/propane fire pits and grills.

Isolated thunderstorms will develop Monday morning and become scattered by afternoon. Thunderstorms will start dry and transition to hybrid wet/dry storms in the afternoon, according to NWS-Reno.

Outflow Winds...Gusts to 50 mph possible from any thunderstorms

Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity.

The affected areas:

Fire Zone 272 Greater Lake Tahoe Area
Fire Zone 270 Surprise Valley California
Fire Zone 271 Western Lassen
Eastern Plumas
Eastern Sierra
Eastern Nevada Counties
Fire Zone 278 Eastern Lassen County
Fire Zone 420
Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties
Fire Zone 423 West Humboldt Basin in Pershing County
Fire Zone 458 Northern Washoe County

Avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires. Follow local fire restrictions. Check weather.gov/reno for updates and livingwithfire.info for preparedness tips.