Weather service issues fire warning

Fire danger is high today and Thursday as gusty winds kick up and low humidity persists. Red flag warnings are in effect. Officials warn that brush fires, like the one pictured here at the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge in 2010, could get out of control quickly.

Temperatures are lower this week in the Las Vegas Valley, but that doesn’t mean an end to the weather advisories.

Last week it was extreme heat, which has lowered to a high of 106 degrees Wednesday and highs hovering at 100-101 degrees through Sunday.

This week, red flag warnings are in effect Wednesday and Thursday, which means the areas involved are vulnerable to fires.

Almost all of Nevada is covered by the advisory, and it extends into parts of California and Arizona.

The criteria for the warning is a combination of high winds and low relative humidity. When wind gusts exceed 35 mph and relative humidity is below 15 percent, the red flag warning is issued.

Caution should be taken with campfires, cigarettes and other fire-related activities. There is potential for something small to “get out of control way too fast,” said a weather service spokesman.

The advisory is in effect until Thursday evening, when winds are expected to let up.

Contact Annalise Porter at aporter@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.