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 FRIDAY EVENING.

* AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 420 NORTHERN SIERRA FRONT INCLUDING CARSON CITY, DOUGLAS, STOREY, SOUTHERN WASHOE, WESTERN LYON, AND FAR SOUTHERN LASSEN COUNTIES, FIRE WEATHER ZONE 421 SOUTHERN SIERRA FRONT INCLUDING ALPINE, NORTHERN MONO, SOUTHERN LYON, AND WESTERN MINERAL COUNTIES.

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

* HUMIDITY...RH REDUCTIONS TO 15 TO 20 PERCENT IN THE AFTERNOON. NIGHTTIME RECOVERIES OF 40 TO 60 PERCENT SATURDAY MORNING.

* DURATION...4 TO 7 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.