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San Diego County braces for fire danger amid red flag warnings

A firefighter works to put out a brush fire on Jan. 20, 2025 in Poway, California.
A firefighter works to put out a brush fire on Jan. 20, 2025 in Poway, California.

Dangerous conditions began developing Monday in San Diego County, with red flag warnings and strong winds increasing the wildfire threat.

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings from 10 a.m. Monday through at least 10 p.m. Tuesday for inland valleys and mountain areas, with winds expected to reach 25 to 35 mph and isolated gusts up to 75 mph on the favored coastal slopes of the San Diego County Mountains.

Public safety power shutoffs began Monday, with SDG&E cutting power to 932 customers in Boulevard, Descanso, Warner Springs and the Campo Reservation. More than 82,000 additional customers have been warned of possible outages through Wednesday.

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How to prepare for a power outage

  • Build an emergency kit: Include flashlights, extra batteries, nonperishable food (this includes packaged snacks and bottled water and juices) and a first-aid kit.
  • Phones and electronics: Keep phones that don't require electricity along with a portable battery-powered radio, a wind-up or battery-operated clock and manual can opener.
  • For major appliances: Turn off and unplug major appliances like your A/C and refrigerator, electronics and devices to prevent damage or unexpected starts when power is restored, but leave one light on to signal when power returns.
  • For seniors: Prepare essential items like wheelchair batteries, oxygen, medications and service animal food. List medical devices with instructions.
  • Create a network: Notify and alert neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers to aid you should there be an emergency.
  • Keep emergency contacts handy: Add SDG&E’s emergency phone number (800) 411-SDGE (7343) for residents and (800) 611-SDGE (7343).

To learn more about preparing for a power outage, visit this comprehensive guide from the City of San Diego: Power Outage Prep Tips or go to SDG&E resource page.

SDG&E has set up community resource centers offering public access to Wi-Fi, phone charging and medical device support.

"Winds will begin to increase Monday afternoon, peaking in intensity overnight into Tuesday morning," the NWS said.

"Confidence for winds over 40 mph are about 65-80% across the mountains and 35-50% for inland valleys and foothills. Widespread wind gusts over 30 mph will occur across inland valleys west of the mountains, with local gusts over 60 mph below passes and through canyons."

Coastal San Diego will see a mix of partly cloudy and clear conditions through the week, with highs in the mid-60s to low 70s, forecasters said.

Inland valleys should also expect some partly cloudy conditions in the mornings and light winds this week, with some sun and highs reaching the low 70s.

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Mountain areas are expected to see mostly sunny conditions through the week, with highs averaging in the 50s and a slight chance of showers and snow level at 5000 feet in the morning by the weekend, the agency said.

Monday's San Diego surf forecast includes a moderate-risk rip current, with surf from 2 to 4 feet and west swell from 280 degrees.

Marine forecasters said strong winds could develop Monday night, with strong gusts up to 25 knots possible over the waters late Monday night into Tuesday morning. No hazardous marine conditions are expected through Wednesday.

Additionally, a small craft advisory will be in effect from 10 p.m. Monday to at least 10 a.m. Tuesday for coastal waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nautical miles from San Mateo Point waters to the Mexican border extending 30 to 60 nautical miles out, including San Clemente Island.

"Offshore flow will develop late Monday with Santa Ana Winds late Monday through Tuesday, and possibly again Thursday," the