Fire Weather Watch canceled for Lake Tahoe area Tuesday

UPDATE Monday 4:20PM: The National Weather Service had changed their previous Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning and Lake Wind Advisory day, starting at 3:00 a.m. Tuesday. For more info, visit http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/07/2020/red-flag-warning-and-lake-wind-advisory-place-lake-tahoe-t...

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Tuesday, September 8 from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (timeframe was expanded Monday).

The affected area are Fire Zone 271 Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, Eastern Sierra, and Eastern Nevada Counties, Fire Zone 272 Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Fire Zone 278 Eastern Lassen County.

Winds will be from the east-northeast 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph with possible gusts to 40 mph over Sierra ridges. Humidity is expected 10-15 percent.

The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them. It is important for everyone to follow all rules including no outside flames from fire pits, campfires or charcoal barbeques.

There is a Red Flag Warning in Reno and Western Nevada Monday and Tuesday.

NWS Reno has also issued the following special weather statement:

Heat and smoke impacts continue through Labor Day, then a big cooldown.

Smoke from ongoing wildfires will continue to impact the region through Labor Day. Some locations will see degraded air quality, while for others the smoke will remain aloft. The worst conditions will be downwind of ongoing wildfires, such as Quincy toward the Sierra Valley, and the Walker/Coleville/Topaz Lake areas. The most abundant smoke producer is currently the Creek Fire, however, much of this smoke is remaining elevated outside of Mono County, where a Dense Smoke Advisory remains in effect.

Please check fire.airnow.gov for current air quality information.

Temperatures will remain well above normal through Labor Day, though as we saw today, are being tampered down by the thick smoke present over the region. Therefore, while it will certainly be hot Monday, it`s questionable if we`ll be breaking many high temperature records. It`s always a good idea to take breaks from the heat, wear light-colored clothing, and stay hydrated.

A big cool down is on tap for Tuesday, with high temperatures easily 15-25 degrees cooler than we we have experienced recently. This will also bring a very dry air mass and gusty winds, so unfortunately, no relief is in sight for ongoing wildfires. With high fire danger the next several days, avoid any activities that could start a fire, and follow all area restrictions for campfires and use of outdoor grills.