A Fire Weather Watch will be in effect from Thursday, Oct. 17 through Saturday evening, Oct. 19 for gusty winds and low humidity. Among the affected areas are the Northern San Joaquin Valley in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties below 1000 feet.

National Weather Service forecasters in Sacramento indicated that in the Central Valley, there will be northerly winds from 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. In the Delta, northerly winds of 20 to 30 mph, gusts 40 to 55 mph are forecast. In the foothills, northeasterly winds will be 15 to 25 mph, with gusts 35 to 45 mph. Strongest winds are expected Thursday night into Saturday morning.

Minimum daytime relative humidity of 10 to 25 percent is anticipated Friday and Saturday. The region will also see moderate to poor overnight relative humidity recoveries of 25 to 50 percent.

Highest threat during the fire watch period will be in the Sacramento Valley and adjacent foothills, and Delta.

The combination of gusty winds and low humidity can cause new fire starts and ongoing wildfires to rapidly grow in size and intensity. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur.