The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch beginning Sunday evening for parts of San Diego County, as windy conditions were expected to elevate the risk of fires throughout the region this week.
Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will bring dry and windy weather to the region beginning Sunday night and ending Tuesday, creating “critical fire weather conditions” for San Diego County valleys and coastal foothills, the weather service said.
Northeast winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour, were expected.
A predicted drop in humidity in mountains and inland valleys will add to the increase in fire risk, according to the weather service.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has increased the number of on-duty firefighting crews and equipment as a precaution. Officials noted that October has historically been the most dangerous month for wildfires, and several years of drought coupled with heavy rains last winter created significant fuel in the form of
underbrush and grass.
The windy conditions were also expected to cause problems for high-profile vehicles and may increase the chance of power outages in the region through Tuesday.
Moderate temperatures might work in the area’s favor, however: Highs for coastal San Diego are expected to be in the 70s all week, rising to the mid-80s in the valleys.
— From Staff and Wire Reports
