Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Reno have issued a Fire Weather Watch for Susanville, the Honey Lake Valley and eastern Lassen County as gusty winds and low relative humidity, will cause dangerous fire conditions this morning through this evening.
The watch includes Susanville, and eastern Lassen County, extending north into the Surprise Valley and south into far southern Lassen County along the Northern Sierra Front.
Southwest winds are expected to blow between 15 and 25mph, with gusts reaching 30 to 40mph. At the same time, afternoon humidity levels are forecast to drop as low as 10 to 15 percent, creating critical fire weather conditions for a three-to-six-hour window this afternoon.
Forecasters warn that the combination of strong winds and dry air will allow any new fire starts to spread rapidly in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.
Area residents are urged to avoid any outdoor activities that could produce a spark near dry vegetation, including yard work with motorized equipment, target shooting and campfires. Be sure to check and follow all current local fire restrictions.
