The strongest Santa Ana winds this winter are expected in San Diego County Monday evening

San Diego Gas & Electric began shutting off power in upstate San Diego County on Monday to minimize the risk that sparks from power lines could spark a wildfire amid worsening drought and strong Santa Ana winds.

As of 1:45 p.m., 932 customers had lost power and another 82,693 were alerted that the same thing could happen to them. The first outages occurred in Boulevard, Descanso, Campo and Warner Springs. (See outage updates here.)

Around the same time, firefighters attacked a 2-acre wildfire in Poway near the intersection of Ted Williams Parkway and Pomerado Road, authorities said.

Forecasters say cold Santa Pineapple winds are picking up in the eastern mountains and foothills in what could prove locally to be the worst storm of the winter.

“Santa Ana winds gusting to 40-60 mph will develop over mountains and foothills (with) locally higher gusts of 60-80 mph and in the usual wind-prone locations…” the weather service said in a statement. “Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will develop by this afternoon and continue through Tuesday evening.

“A second, weaker Santa Ana event is expected on Thursday and Friday. Rainfall is possible from Saturday to Monday.”

As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, winds were gusting to 50 mph on Hauser Mountain south of Interstate 8 near Campo, 48 mph on Sill Hill in the Cuyamaca Mountains, on East Willows Road along I- 8 at 37 mph and at Moreno at 37 mph dam, 36 mph at Sunshine Summit, 33 mph at Camp Pendleton, 30 mph near Julian, 26 mph at Otay Mountain and 25 mph in Ramona. Forecasters say winds have reached the coast in Del Mar, Carlsbad and Oceanside.

Forecasters said the third major storm this month could cause widespread tree damage and complicate driving in the local mountains, particularly along I-8, State Route 76 and State Route 78 and the county’s northwestern portions of Interstate 15.

Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will develop by this afternoon and continue into Tuesday evening. A second, weaker Santa Ana event is expected on Thursday and Friday. Rainfall is possible from Saturday to Monday.

A Red Flag Fire Weather Warning is in effect for areas east of Interstate 15 from 8 a.m. Monday to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters and first responders worry that backcountry flash fires could spread west into more populated areas.

San Diego International Airport has recorded just 0.14 inches of rainfall since the rainy season began on October 1st. That’s 4.11 inches below normal. The city is experiencing its driest rainy season since 1850.

The utility has stationed workers in canyons and peaks to watch for accidents. Additionally, the 134 live wildfire cameras that UC San Diego’s AlertCalifornia network operates throughout the county are being closely monitored.

Originally published: January 20, 2025 at 5:01 am PST