The blustery conditions sent trees and utility standards toppling and stoked two afternoon brush fires. Author: CBS News 8 Team Published: 8:03 AM PST January 20, 2021 Updated: 5:50 PM PST January 20, 2021
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. Strong Santa Ana winds whipped through the San Diego area for a third straight day Wednesday, stoking afternoon brush fires that threatened homes and forced evacuations in communities miles apart from each other.
The period of unseasonably gusty conditions, which toppled trees and tipped over top-heavy vehicles in the county on Tuesday, prompted a National Weather Service high-wind warning slated to remain in effect until early Wednesday evening in coastal areas and late tonight in the mountains and valleys.
The wildfire that erupted late Wednesday near Fallbrook and spread to Camp Pendleton is being driven by Santa Ana winds that will ease by Thursday afternoon but could last into Christmas morning, according to the National Weather Service.
“The winds will go down but it will be a gradual process,” said Brandt Maxwell, a weather service forecaster.
The fire began in an area that’s experienced below-average rainfall, causing the vegetation to wither. The region also has had 12 dry Santa Ana wind events since September 1, which has parched some areas.
The latest windstorm gained strength before dawn Thursday, producing a gust of 71 mph in Hellhole Canyon, near Valley Center, and a gust to 65 mph in the Pine Valley area, the weather service said.