FIRE WEATHER WATCH

The Caldor Fire churned through mountains just southwest of the Tahoe Basin, cloaking much of the area in toxic smoke and sending tourists packing at a time when summer vacations would be in full swing ahead of the Labor Day weekend. A favorable turn in weather Saturday afternoon allowed firefighters to make progress and increase containment of the Caldor Fire to 19%, up from 12% the day before, said Capt. Stephen Horner, a Cal Fire spokesman for the Caldor Fire.

The drier air combined with dry conditions the region has experienced during the past several months will create an enhanced risk for wildfires to start Thursday. Most of Central Florida is running 3 to 5 inches below normal in the rainfall department dating back to Dec. 1, 2020. The gusty winds that will accompany the cold front will create an environment for any fire that ignites to potentially spread rapidly. Wind gust forecast ThursdayThe greatest risk for wildfires to start and spread will be when the relative humidity is at its lowest between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday. The relative humidity naturally rises at night when the temperatures drops closer to the dewpoint.