THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHERWATCH FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 420 NORTHERN SIERRA FRONT INCLUDING CARSON CITY, DOUGLAS, STOREY, SOUTHERN WASHOE, WESTERN LYON, AND FAR SOUTHERN LASSEN COUNTIES.

* WINDS...WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS 12 TO 20 PERCENT.

* DURATION... 2 TO 4 HOURS FRIDAY WITH 3 TO 8 HOURS SATURDAY. WHILE HUMIDITY WILL RECOVER FRIDAY NIGHT, WINDS WILL STAY BREEZY ON MIDSLOPES AND RIDGES.

* 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, ESPECIALLY FROM ANY RECENT LIGHTNING HOLDOVERS.