SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A Red Flag Warning for San Diego County's inland valleys and mountain areas that was issued early Monday morning has been extended until 8 p.m. Thursday as the conditions persisted.
According to the National Weather Service, the strong, gusty winds and low relative humidity around the county bring a critical fire danger.
Meteorologist Vanessa Paz says to expect sustained winds out of the northeast to east of 20 to 30 mph and gusts to 45 mph, and locally 55+ mph for the wind-prone areas. Where most people live, expect gusts of 15 to 35 mph.
The windier spots, like the I-8 through the mountains, including Alpine and Pine Valley, as well as locations like Palomar Mountain, Valley Center, Sill Hill, Campo, Boulevard, Potrero, Crestwood, Big Black Mountain, and Hellhole Canyon, will see gusts of 40 to 60 mph and locally higher.
Wind damage, downed trees, and more power outages will be a concern through Thursday.
San Diego Gas & Electric is once again issuing public safety power shutoffs due to the high fire risk. As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, 12,228 customers had their power shutoff.
SDGE estimates a little over 71,000 customers could be impacted during this Red Flag warning.
The following communities face the potential power shutoffs:
- Alpine
- Barona Reservation
- Borrego Springs
- Campo
- Capitan Grande Reservation
- East San Juan Capistrano
- El Cajon
- Escondido
- Fallbrook
- Jacumba
- Jamul
- Julian
- La Jolla Reservation
- La Posta Reservation
- Lakeside
- Los Coyotes Reservation
- Manzanita Reservation
- Mesa Grande Reservation
- Pala Reservation
- Pauma and Yuima Reservation
- Pauma Valley
- Pechanga Reservation
- Poway
- Ramona
- Ranchita
- Rancho Bernardo
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Rincon Reservation
- San Diego
- San Marcos
- San Pasqual Reservation
- Santa Ysabel
- Santa Ysabel Reservation
- Santee
- Sycuan Reservation
- Valley Center
- Viejas Reservation
- Warner Springs
"If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior," the NWS' advisory says.
NWS pinpointed the Palomar and Descanso Ranger Districts of the Cleveland National Forest as high-wind areas.
A high wind warning will go into effect for the valleys and mountains from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, per NWS. The service warned of winds blowing over trees and power lines, indicating there's a potential for power outages.
"Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles," the NWS says.
Follow this link for live updates from SDGE. You can head to the NWS website for more information about the watches and warnings our area is facing.
The below school districts were closed Tuesday due to high winds and power outages:
- Julian Union Elementary School District
- Julian Union High School District
- Mountain Empire Unified School District
- Warner Unified School District
Lakeside Farms Elementary and DREAM Academy in Lakeside Union School District were also closed on Jan. 21.
