The risk of wildfires in San Diego County's mountains and valleys is expected to lessen Thursday afternoon as the Santa Ana winds taper off, but the dry conditions could stick around a little longer.
A National Weather Service red flag warning for the mountains, foothills and inland valleys is set expire at 5 p.m. A wind advisory for the same areas will remain in effect until 2 p.m.
Higher temperatures, single-digit humidities and strong winds could create potentially critical fire weather conditions Thursday morning and afternoon, forecasters said.
"Although winds decrease during the day, relative humidity will remain very low through the afternoon," according to the weather service.
Areas of northeast winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour are expected into early Thursday afternoon along with gusts that may reach 40 mph. Forecasters said any fires that broke out would likely spread quickly.
The sudden gusts could also cause hazardous driving conditions, especially along Interstate 8 in the mountains, the weather service said. Drivers were urged to use extra caution.
Milder weather is expected to return Friday as a cooling trend begins.
