News Summary
San Diego County is under red flag warnings following multiple wildfires, including the Lilac Fire, which has burned 80 acres. Extremely high winds and low humidity are exacerbating fire risks, prompting power outages for over 15,000 customers. Community centers are providing resources for affected residents, while more dangerous weather conditions are forecasted. Residents are urged to remain vigilant as wildfires continue to threaten the region.
San Diego County Faces Wildfire Threat with Red Flag Warnings and Power Outages
Multiple wildfires have ignited overnight in San Diego County, prompting officials to issue a red flag warning that remains in effect until at least 10 p.m. Tuesday for the county’s inland valleys and mountains. The region is facing extremely dangerous fire conditions, with forecasts predicting northeast winds to reach speeds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. In mountainous areas, isolated gusts between 80 to 90 mph are anticipated, while humidity levels are expected to drop as low as 4%.
The first significant fire, called the Lilac Fire, began near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in the Bonsall area. This fire has burned approximately 80 acres, causing damage to two structures and displacing 86 residents. In response to the fire, evacuation orders and warnings were swiftly issued as a precautionary measure. Another incident, known as the Pala Fire, scorched about 17 acres in Pala, while the Riverview Fire affected an acre of land in Fallbrook, which also led to evacuation orders that were ultimately lifted.
To mitigate potential wildfire risks, public safety power shutoffs were initiated on Monday, affecting hundreds of customers by cutting off their electricity. As of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, over 15,463 customers serviced by SDG&E were without power in various communities. Furthermore, an additional 68,162 customers have been warned about the possibility of impending power outages.
In an effort to support affected residents, SDG&E has opened community resource centers that offer Wi-Fi and charging stations for electronic devices. A high wind warning is also active until 4 p.m. Tuesday for the mountains and valleys area, with a fire weather watch set to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday lasting until 6 p.m. Thursday for these same regions.
Strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions are expected to persist, with forecasts predicting another surge of offshore wind arriving Wednesday evening. This surge could continue into Thursday morning, contributing to ongoing critical fire weather conditions. As a result, red flag warnings have been extended until 10 a.m. Friday, reflecting the severe nature of the situation.
According to meteorological forecasts, expected northeast winds could reach 30 to 40 mph, with potential gusts hitting between 60 to 70 mph and isolated gusts up to 70 to 80 mph in mountainous areas. With humidity forecasted to remain critically low—mostly at 5% or less—conditions are primed for increased wildfire activity.
SDG&E continues to monitor weather conditions carefully and is actively managing power supply to help prevent any further ignition of wildfires. Peak wind gusts in certain locations have already been recorded at an alarming 91 mph in the San Diego mountains. Residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepared for any further developments related to the fire and ongoing weather conditions.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado Times: Tsunami Advisory in Place for San Diego
- Wikipedia: Wildfire
- Washington Post: Earthquake in San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego County fires
- Patch: Critical Fire Threat in San Diego County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildfire
- Patch: Dangerous Winds Return to San Diego County
- Google News: Wildfires in San Diego
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
