Red Flag Warning for Lake Tahoe Saturday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has upgraded their previous warnings for the Lake Tahoe Basin. There is now a Red Flag Warning in effect Saturday, October 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.

The combination of gusty winds and extremely dry fuels can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them, so use extreme caution.

There was already a ban on wood burning in the Basin, and now during the Red Flag Warning the use of propane and gas appliances outdoors is banned.

The Affected Area: Fire Zone 272 Greater Lake Tahoe Area, Fire Zone 420 Northern Sierra Front including Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Southern Washoe, Western Lyon, and Far Southern Lassen Counties, Fire Zone 421 Southern Sierra Front including Alpine, Northern Mono, Southern Lyon and and Western Mineral Counties.

Expect winds from the southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35 to 45 mph. Higher gusts of 50 to 70 mph are possible for wind prone/exposed and ridge locations.

Even though humidity is above the fire stage criteria, at 20 to 35 percent, the winds will be gusty enough to efficiently spread fire, especially with very dry fuel conditions.