Red Flag Warning In Effect In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – San Diego County is under a red flag warning from Monday morning through Thursday night with Santa Ana winds expected to slam Southern California and raise the risk of wildfires.

The red flag warning is in effect from 3 a.m. Monday through midnight Thursday across the region, with the strongest gusts expected along and below coastal mountain slopes and below passes and canyons.

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

Gusty northeast winds are expected to strengthen in Orange and San Bernardino counties Monday morning and spread into the San Diego region later in the day, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters predict northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts of about 55 mph and isolated gusts up to 65 mph. Daytime humidity will be as low as 5 to 10 percent, forecasters said.

Strong, widespread winds are expected late Monday night into Tuesday and again late Wednesday night into Thursday. Winds are expected to weaken but still continue throughout Friday and Saturday.

Forecasters warned any fires that develop will spread rapidly, and recommended avoiding any activities that can spark a fire.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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