With conditions ripe for a wildfire Tuesday, San Diego County officials offered tips aimed at saving homes.
A National Weather Service red flag warning, signifying high wildfire danger, was issued through 5 p.m. Thursday for the inland valleys and mountains, where gusts could reach 60 mph and relative humidities could fall as low as 5 percent.
Brush should be cleared within 100 feet of homes — at least — but people should avoid using power mowers or weed cutters that could produce a disastrous spark while conditions are ripe for an out-of-control fire, county spokeswoman Yvette Moe said.
Any flammable materials should be moved away from homes, and tree branches that hang over roofs should be trimmed, she said.
The county developed an app that delivers news updates, maps, shelter locations, disaster planning templates and checklists. In the event of a wildfire or other emergency, that same information would be available at sdcountyemergency.com.
Emergency information is also relayed via text messages to those who have signed up for the county’s “AlertSanDiego” cell phone notification service, officials said.
—City News Service