San Diego's Red Flag Warning: What You Need To Know

San Diego County remains under a red flag warning, meaning there's a strong risk of wildfire, with the National Weather Service forecasting Santa Ana wind gusts approaching 80 miles per hour along with low humidity.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the county mountains, valleys and coastal areas that will be in effect until 5pm Wednesday. The NWS also issued a high wind warning in the mountains and valleys that remains in effect until 5pm Tuesday. Winds blowing east to northeast were expected between 30 to 40 mph in most of the region with gusts of 80 mph possible near the ridge tops of the county mountains, according to the NWS. Sill Hill, just west of Cuyamaca Peak, recorded gusts as high as 86 mph Monday. Humidity levels will drop to around 5% with poor recovery overnight. 

High temperatures today will be 75 to 80 degrees near the coast and inland, 75 to 80 degrees in the western valleys, 65 to 70 near the foothills and 53 to 62 in the mountains, NWS forecasters said.  Fuels, meaning the vegetation, are very dry and fires will grow rapidly, burn intensely and be difficult to control upon ignition, according to the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index.

Some schools are closed today. According to the San Diego County Office of Education, Julian Union School District, Julian Union High School District, Mountain Empire Unified School District and Spencer Valley School District will close November 13. Schools in the Warner Unified School District will also be closed Tuesday for a previously scheduled teacher work day, according to the office. 

SDG&E has shut off power to customers in the East County as a precaution because of the high winds and low humidity. The outages could last until the red flag warning expires Wednesday afternoon and four resource centers were opened Monday for residents affected by the outages.

Residents can get water and snacks, charge their phones and get updated information on outages at the resources center located at:  
- Mountain Empire High School Gymnasium, 3305 Buckman Springs Road, Campo
- Potrero Resource Center, 24550 Highway 94, Potrero;
- Camp Oliver Lodge, 8761 Riverside Drive, Descanso
- Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center, 1800 Golden Acorn Way, Campo.

Two more resources centers are set to open at 8 a.m. today:
- Whispering Winds Catholic Camp, 17606 Harrison Park Road, Julian
- Dulzura Community Center, 1136 Community Building Road, Dulzura.

With the heightened fire danger, authorities recommended that residents avoid outdoor burning, using lawn mowers or power tools outside and have emergency preparedness kits in order.


Photo Credit: Getty Images 


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