Red Flag Warning for Lake Tahoe Sunday-Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The National Weather Service in Reno has upgraded their previous fire weather watch to a Red Flag Warning for the Lake Tahoe Basin Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to Monday at 5:00 p.m.

The forecast is for gusty winds and low humidity. Northeast winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 to 35 mph. Higher gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible along mid-
slopes and wind-prone areas with gusts of 70+ mph along the Sierra Crest.

Humidity of 15-25 percent expected, above usual warning criteria, but with very dry fuel conditions the strong winds will still be capable of efficient fire spread.

Besides the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Red Flag Warning is in place for Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, Eastern Sierra, and Eastern Nevada Counties.

Impacts...The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.

During a Red Flag Warning no propane or gas flames are allowed in outdoor appliances including barbeques, along with the current ban of charcoal and outdoor wood fires.