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

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 270 SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA, FIRE WEATHER ZONE 278 EASTERN LASSEN COUNTY, FIRE WEATHER ZONE 458 NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY.

* WINDS...SOUTHWEST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* HUMIDITY...AFTERNOON MINIMUMS 6 TO 9 PERCENT.

* DURATION...3 TO 8 HOURS.

* 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.