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Strong Santa Ana winds are expected to hit San Diego County, leading to a Fire Weather Watch being issued for various areas. The watch includes valleys and mountain communities like El Cajon, Escondido, Ramona, and Julian for Wednesday and Thursday. This indicates a high risk of fire due to critical weather conditions.

The forecast predicts northeast winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts up to 45 miles per hour during Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon. The relative humidity is expected to drop to as low as 10%, creating ideal conditions for fires to spread quickly. Even coastal communities may experience wind gusts of 25 to 30 miles per hour by late Wednesday.

In addition to San Diego County, Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties where the winds are anticipated to be the strongest. While the winds are expected to weaken by Friday, the fire danger will remain elevated.

Despite the windy conditions, temperatures are expected to be near normal. Daytime highs in the beach and valley areas will be in the low to mid-70s, while the mountains will see upper 50s and the deserts will experience low 70s.

It is crucial for residents in these areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent fires during this period of heightened fire danger. Stay updated on the latest weather alerts and be prepared to act quickly in case of any emergencies. The safety of the community relies on everyone’s cooperation and awareness during these challenging weather conditions.