SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Dry, windy and warm conditions will heighten the risk of wildfire in the inland valleys and mountain areas of San Diego County Wednesday, meteorologists said.
"Winds, along with low relative humidity values and above average temperatures, will enhance the potential for fire ignition and spread during the day," according to the National Weather Service.
A red flag warning -- the weather service's most serious fire-related warning -- was in effect in the inland valleys and mountain areas until 5 p.m. Thursday.
In issuing the warning, the NWS said sustained northeast to east winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and widespread gusts of up to 45 mph are expected Wednesday. Isolated gusts of up to 60 mph are also possible on the county's windiest slopes.
The lowest daytime humidity will be around 5 to 10 percent, with poor overnight recovery in wind-prone areas, the NWS said. High temperatures Wednesday are expected to be 81 to 86 degrees near the coast, 86 to 91 inland, 87 to 92 in the western valleys, 81 to 86 near the foothills, 68 to 77 in the mountains and 82 to 87 in the deserts.
In addition to the red flag warning, the NWS scheduled a wind advisory until noon Thursday in inland valley and mountain areas, saying the winds will be strongest Wednesday morning.
"Strong gusty winds will make driving hazardous, especially for high-profile vehicles," the NWS said. "Watch for broken tree limbs and localized blowing dust."
Conditions will improve by Thursday night as offshore flow weakens, according to the weather service.