A red flag warning has been issued for the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee areas from noon-8pm Wednesday.

This means hazardous fire conditions because of the strong winds and low humidity. Winds out of the southwest are expected to be 15-25 mph, with gusts of 45 mph.

“The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity before first responders can contain them,” according to the National Weather Service in Reno.

Fire personnel are beefing up resources, especially with an arsonist on the loose on the South Shore. A rash of fires have been human started in the last month. Authorities will not say if they have a suspect. Most of these fires have been set on state or federal lands.

Rain, including thunderstorms, is in the forecast for the Tahoe basin on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are expected to drop dramatically, with the overnight low on Sept. 22 being 28 degrees. Sunny skies will return Friday, and the high Saturday is expected to be 73.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report