Red Flag Warning: Strong Winds Prompt Power Shutoffs, School Closures In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO, CA — Parts of San Diego County remain under a red flag warning as extremely dry and windy conditions have increased wildfire risk across the region.

A red flag warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for the county's mountains and valleys, according to the National Weather Service.

A high wind warning is in effect until 2 p.m. Wednesday for the county's coastal areas north of Carlsbad. Northeast winds from 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 55 mph, according to the NWS.

A high wind warning was extended until 2 p.m. Friday for the mountains and valleys. Winds from 30 to 40 mph are expected, with gusts up to 70 mph and isolated gusts up to 80 mph.

"North to northeasterly Santa Ana winds will continue today with widespread critical to locally extreme fire weather conditions," NWS San Diego forecasters wrote Wednesday.

"Lingering Santa Ana winds and dry air will bring periods of critical fire weather conditions Thursday and Friday, although winds are expected to be weaker than their peak today," the NWS added. "Warmer weather will occur Thursday, with slight cooling Friday with increased winds again, then warmer again Saturday with weaker winds. Cooler and breezy weather will prevail early next week."

On Monday, San Diego Gas & Electric warned that 64,866 customers could face public safety power shutoffs as early as Tuesday to reduce wildfire risk.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 8,991 SDG&E customers were without power in communities across the county, according to SDG&E. A total of 56,484 additional customers could be affected by the outages.

Critical fire weather conditions prompted the closure of some schools in the region. The schools in the following districts will be closed Wednesday due to high winds and potential power outages, according to the San Diego County Office of Education:

• Julian Union Elementary School District
• Julian Union High School District
• Mountain Empire Unified School District
• Ramona Unified School District
• Spencer Valley School District
• Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District
• Warner Unified School District
• Sullivan Middle School and Bonsall High School in Bonsall Unified School District
• Barona Indian Charter School

Also see:

• Thousands Without Power As Shutoffs Begin In San Diego County
• More San Diego Area Schools Closed Due To High Winds, Power Shutoffs