Fire Weather Watch Issued For Parts Of San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – Just days after a red flag warning expired for San Diego County, the National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for parts of the San Diego region.

The fire weather watch will be in effect from midnight Thursday through 10 a.m. Friday for the county's inland valleys and mountains, according to the National Weather Service. A red flag warning for the county expired Sunday night.

"A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur," weather officials said. "Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings."

The watch is due to strong gusty winds and low humidity forecast for the area. Northeast winds are expected to be 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour and isolated gusts up to 65 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. At the same time, minimum relative humidity is expected in the single digits with poor overnight recovery in the teens and 20s at most locales, weather officials said.

Winds are anticipated to increase Thursday morning over San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange Counties peaking in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. In San Diego County, winds are expected to increase during the day on Thursday, peaking Thursday night into the early morning hours on Friday.

Weather officials warned any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Residents were advised to avoid outdoor burning.

Image by Joe Fanaselle