LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Officials have issued a red flag warning for areas of Northern California, including Lake County and other parts of the North Coast.

The National Weather Service reported that the red flag warning runs from midnight Wednesday until 10 a.m. Friday for Lake County, as well as the Coastal Ranges and the west slopes of the northern Sierra Nevada.

A red flag warning signals weather conditions that increase fire danger.

In particular, forecasters are predicting gusty north to east winds combined with very low humidity which – combined with the region's dry vegetation – will create critical fire weather conditions.

Community members are asked to use extra caution to avoid potential fire starts.

The National Weather Service said this month is shaping up to be driest January on record for Northern California, with the small amount of rainfall recorded so far well below even the severe drought years of 1976 and 1977.

There is no rain forecast for Lake County in the coming week, with daytime temperatures expected to continue in the low 60s and high 70s, with nighttime temperatures in the mid 40s.

Winds are expected to peak on Thursday night, with gusts as high as 24 miles per hour, tapering off on Friday morning, according to the forecast.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.