Update: Santa Ana Winds Stir ‘High Risk of Wildfire’

Updated 4:20 p.m. Wednesday. Officials extended the red flag warning until 9 p.m. Wednesday (it had been in effect only until 6 p.m.).

A red flag warning signifying a high risk of wildfire was in effect Wednesday in much of San Diego County because of a combination of fierce Santa Ana winds, dry vegetation and low humidity.

The National Weather Service said winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour blew through mountain locales, gusting to between 40 and 50 mph Wednesday morning.

It said the strongest gusts would occur in such areas as Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Campo and Warner Springs.

The NWS issued a red flag warning effective until 9 p.m. in the county's valley, forest and mountain areas, including the portion of the Cleveland National Forest that juts into northern San Diego County.

Humidity levels could dip into the single digits Wednesday, according to NWS meteorologists.

A wind advisory indicating sustained winds of 35 mph or greater will be in effect until 3 p.m. in the valleys and mountains of San Diego County.

The NWS warned motorists to be extra cautious when driving in high winds, especially while at the wheel off high-profile vehicles.

-City News Service