Weather
Strong Winds In Poway Area Prompt Fire Warning
The warning comes as SDG&E urged thousands of customers to prepare for potential public safety power shutoffs over the Thanksgiving holiday.
POWAY, CA — Dry conditions and gusty winds are expected to return to San Diego County on Thanksgiving Day, raising wildfire risks and threatening power shutoffs across the region. The possibility of strong Santa Ana winds prompted officials to issue a red flag warning for parts of the county and much of Southern California.
A high wind watch will be in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday until 3 p.m. Thursday for San Diego County inland valleys and mountains, including Poway, according to the National Weather Service. The red flag warning will be in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday until 6 p.m. Friday for the same areas.
The critical weather conditions will elevate the potential for new wildfires to spark.
Find out what's happening in Powayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior," weather service officials said.
East to northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Isolated gusts as high as 65 mph are possible in the mountains. Humidity levels, meanwhile, will fall to 5 to 10 percent Thursday and Friday.
Find out what's happening in Powayfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly," forecasters warned.
The winds are expected to diminish by the weekend, along with a "gradual recovery in humidity," officials said.
The warning comes as San Diego Gas & Electric urged customers to prepare for potential public safety power shutoffs over the Thanksgiving holiday. Public safety power shutoffs are issued to head off fire risk of potential downed power lines.
"All of us at SDG&E are hoping that critical fire weather conditions do not result in having to shut off power over Thanksgiving so that our customers and employees can enjoy the holiday with their loved ones," said Kevin Geraghty, SDG&E's chief safety officer and senior vice president of electric operations.
According to SDG&E, as many as 42,418 customers could be impacted in the following communities:
- Alpine
- Barona Reservation
- Boulevard
- Campo
- Campo Reservation
- Cuyapaipe Reservation
- Descanso
- Dulzura
- El Cajon
- Escondido
- Fallbrook
- Jacumba
- Jamul
- Julian
- La Jolla Reservation
- La Posta Reservation
- Lakeside
- Los Coyotes Reservation
- Manzanita Reservation
- Mesa Grande Reservation
- Mount Laguna
- Nestor
- Olivenhain
- Otay Reservoir
- Pala
- Pala Reservation
- Palomar Mountain
- Pauma Reservation
- Pauma Valley
- Pine Valley
- Potrero
- Poway
- Ramona
- Ranchita
- Rancho Santa Fe
- Rincon Reservation
- San Marcos
- San Pasqual Reservation
- Santa Ysabel
- Santa Ysabel Reservation
- Santee
- Sycuan Reservation
- Valley Center
- Viejas Reservation
- Warner Springs
"Weather conditions change, and we have our team of professionals watching closely. However, we wanted to let our customers know as early as possible that they could be impacted so they can make alternate holiday arrangements if needed. There is nothing more important to us than the safety of the communities we serve, and our team stands ready to restore power as quickly and safely as possible should PSPS occur."
City News Service contributed to this report.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
