Fire Weather Watch

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Fire Weather Watch for thunderstorms and strong outflow winds, which is in effect from late Wednesday night through Thursday evening.

* Affected Area...Fire Weather Zone 270 Surprise Valley California, Fire Weather Zone 271 Western Lassen, Eastern Plumas, and Eastern Sierra Counties, Fire Weather Zone 272 Greater Lake Tahoe and Truckee Area, Fire Weather Zone 278 Eastern Lassen County, Fire Weather Zone 458 Northern Washoe County.

* Thunderstorms...Thunderstorm chances increase to 15 to 30 percent for Thursday leading to lightning strikes on dry fuels. Thunderstorms may also produce hail and periods of moderate to heavy rainfall.

* Outflow Winds...Up to 50 mph.

* Impacts...Lightning can create new fire starts and may combine with strong outflow winds to cause a fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them.