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San Diego facing dangerous wildfire conditions this weekend

Posted at 3:27 PM, Oct 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-21 10:28:36-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Local firefighters are on guard this weekend because San Diego is facing a dangerous mix that’s perfect for wildfires.

“We’re going to have about a hundred-extra people working this weekend,” said Cal Fire Chief Tony Mecham.

RELATED: San Diego officials mark 10th anniversary of 2007 wildfires

Temperatures in San Diego County are expected to spike this weekend.  Those temperatures mixed with low humidity and a return of Santa Ana winds means wildfires could get out of control. 

Chief Mecham said they have called all of their firefighters in to work this weekend; reserve firefighters have been activated; their Navy and Marine resources have been told to get ready; Cal Fire alerted CONOFOR, their Mexican counterparts; and they stationed two more air tankers at Brown Field in Otay Mesa.

RELATED: San Diego's weekend weather forecast

However, Mecham warned individual homeowners need to be prepared as well.

“I think a lot of people expect us to be their Plan A and that’s a good plan for your everyday 911 call and a fire engine shows up.  When we get a large fire, we’re not going to have a fire engine at everybody’s house,” he said.

RELATED: California Insurance Commissioner: Losses from wildfires exceed $1 billion

10News asked Mecham what concerned him most when he looked at a map of San Diego County. He listed two places:

The area east of Alpine and south of Interstate 8 was his biggest concern.

He also mentioned the area known as the Santa Margarita Drainage. That is an area between Fallbrook and Riverside County. Both areas have a lot of fuel that has not burned in years and are susceptible to strong winds.