January 8, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for San Diego County mountains and valleys today and tomorrow due to high winds and extreme fire danger. The strong winds that have fueled two large wildfires decimating Los Angeles County are forecast to move into San Diego County next.
This is the driest winter period measured from October 1 through January 8 since 1850, according to the National Weather Service, increasing fire danger.
Due to high winds and potential power outages, schools in six local districts will be closed today. The San Diego County Office of Education announced the closures for:
- Julian Union Elementary School District
- Julian Union High School District
- Mountain Empire Unified School District
- Ramona Unified School District
- Spencer Valley School District
- Warner Unified School District
“The safety of students and school staff is of the utmost importance to San Diego County school districts,” officials said in a news release.
In Los Angeles County, devastating fires have collectively destroyed over 1,000 homes and two people have died, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Palisades Fire (Photo,left, by Henri Migala) has burned over 2,900 acres and has destroyed many homes, including beachfront houses along Pacific Coast Highway, since it began yesterday morning in Pacific Palisades. Over 30,000 residences have been evacuated in cities including Santa Monita, Topanga, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades.
Photo, left by Henri Migala: Palisades Fire viewed from Westin Hotel near LAX this morning.
The Eaton Fire in Altadena/Pasadena soared to 2,227 acres overnight. In Sylmar, the Hurst Fire has burned 500 acres. All of these fires remain zero percent contained.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state emergency due to the Los Angeles County Fires.
The winds fueling these devastating wildfires are moving into San Diego next, posing extreme fire danger here. Some local firefighters are now in L.A. helping to battle those fires.
SDG&E has begun shutting off power to prevent fires in some rural communities, with more outages anticipated.
Please be prepared for power outages and evacuation if necessary.Avoid any actions that could spark a brush fire, such as weed whacking or parking a vehicle atop try brush.
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