San Diego Faces Power Shutoffs Amid High Fire Risk and Santa Ana Winds

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Red Flag Warning for San Diego County’s inland valleys and mountain areas early Monday morning, as strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity heightened wildfire risks. The warning, in effect from 8 a.m. Monday to 10 p.m. Tuesday, prompted San Diego Gas & Electric (SDGE) to initiate public safety power shutoffs affecting thousands of customers.

According to the NWS, northeast winds were blowing at 25 to 35 mph, with gusts reaching up to 60 mph. In some areas, such as canyons and coastal slopes, gusts could hit 75 mph. Relative humidity levels were projected to drop to as low as 5% to 8% by Tuesday, creating conditions ripe for rapid fire spread. “If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior,” the NWS advisory stated.

SDGE began shutting off power to 933 customers in high-risk areas, including Boulevard, Campo Reservation, and Descanso, by 10:30 a.m. Monday. The utility estimated that over 82,000 customers could be affected during the Red Flag Warning. Communities such as Warner Springs and Poway also faced potential outages.

By 2 p.m., firefighters were battling a 3-acre wildfire near Ted Williams Parkway and Pomerado Road in Poway, fueled by 20 mph Santa Ana winds. The blaze threatened several homes, underscoring the heightened fire danger. Forecasters warned that the cold Santa Ana winds, with gusts of 40 to 60 mph, could cause widespread tree damage and make driving hazardous, particularly along Interstate 8, state Route 76, and state Route 78.

San Diego International Airport has recorded only 0.14 inches of precipitation since October 1, marking the driest rainy season since 1850. The lack of rainfall, combined with the strong winds, has raised concerns about flash fires spreading from the backcountry to more populated areas.

SDGE has deployed staff to monitor canyons and peaks for potential fire outbreaks and is utilizing 134 live wildfire cameras operated by UC San Diego across the county. A second, weaker Santa Ana event is expected later in the week, with a chance of precipitation over the weekend.