Strong Santa Ana Winds Prompt 'Extreme' Fire Warning In San Diego

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – Dangerous Santa Ana winds are expected to slam San Diego County, as devastating wildfires spread across Southern California.

The critical fire conditions prompted the state's Office of Emergency Services to issue a wireless emergency alert from San Diego to Santa Barbara. The alert was sent to cell phones and other enabled mobile devices at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday.

"Strong winds overnight creating extreme fire danger," the message read. "Stay alert. Listen to authorities."

A red flag warning set to expire Thursday has been extended until 8 p.m. Saturday from the coast to the mountains, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, a high wind warning for the county's valleys and mountains was also extended until 4 p.m. Friday.

The color-coded Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index shows the expected strength of the winds has reached uncharted territory, pushing past red — which means "high" — into another color that means "extreme."

The forecast for Thursday is purple, said Ken Pimlott, director at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

"We've never used purple before," he said.

The strongest winds are expected overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Winds are expected to be 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts to 60 miles per hour. Isolated gusts up to 90 miles per hour are possible, according to weather officials.

Such winds can instantly turn a small fire into a large one, or carry embers that spark new fires miles away.

"These will be winds that there will no ability to fight fires," Pimlott said.

Public safety and weather service officials cautioned the public to avoid activities that could spark a fire and warned of the risks associated with high winds, including power outages and damaged or toppled trees or power lines.

Winds will gradually weaken Friday and Saturday, but critical to extreme fire weather conditions will linger in some areas through Saturday.

San Diego Gas & Electric shut off power to nearly 1,500 customers Wednesday night due to high winds and dry conditions. Customers in Descanso, Jacumba, Pauma Valley, Rainbow, Rincon, Santa Ysabel, Valley Center and multiple other communities did not have power.

Four East County school districts will be closed Thursday due to strong winds and possible power outages. The closures include Julian Union Elementary School District, Julian Union High School District, Spencer Valley School District and Warner Unified School District.