Red Flag Warning Called For San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – Santa Ana winds and dry conditions are expected to return to the region this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to upgrade a fire weather watch to a red flag warning for San Diego County.

The red flag warning will be in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Monday due to strong, gusty Santa Winds and low humidity across the mountains and valleys, according to the National Weather Service. The fire weather watch initially called for the region is no longer in effect.

"A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly," weather officials said. "A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior."

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 60 miles per hour below the Cajon Pass and along and near the coastal slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains, according to the National Weather Service. At the same time, minimum relative humidity is predicted to be around 10 percent with poor overnight recoveries.

Conditions are expected to improve Monday night into Tuesday.

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

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