Sun Nov 03 16:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Strong Santa Ana Winds Threaten San Diego County as Presidential Election Day Nears
**San Diego, CA** – San Diego County is bracing for the first major Santa Ana wind event of autumn, with strong winds expected to sweep through the region starting Monday night. The winds, which pose an increased fire risk due to the county’s prolonged dry spell, are expected to intensify Tuesday night, coinciding with the close of polls for the presidential election.
The National Weather Service has issued fire weather watches for parts of the county, with red flag warnings likely for Tuesday night and Wednesday. The dry conditions, with relative humidity dipping below 20% in some areas, have exacerbated the fire hazard, as chaparral vegetation, already extremely flammable, has been further dried out.
The initial wave of winds will arrive from the north on Sunday night, initially affecting Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire. By Monday, the winds will spread to areas like Oceanside, Campo, and along the Interstate 15 corridor, with gusts potentially reaching 30-40 mph around Interstate 8 east of Alpine.
A second, more intense wave of winds will hit Tuesday night, arriving from the northeast and directly impacting San Diego County. Gusts are predicted to reach 40-60 mph in the heavily vegetated backcountry.
The threat of wildfire is heightened throughout the county. Just this week, fires erupted in San Diego’s College Area and Talmadge neighborhoods, leading to evacuations.
Authorities are urging residents to be extra vigilant, particularly those in areas with dry vegetation, and to take precautions to prevent accidental fires.
First Piper 