The U.S. Forest Service and other fire agencies are on high alert across Southern California because of predictions of weekend Santa Ana winds.
The National Weather Service said it will be the first significant Santa Ana wind event of the season. The strongest of the gusty northeast winds are expected Sunday night through Monday.
Red flag warnings are triggered by dry, windy weather conditions that increase the risk of wildfires.
A Forest Service statement said forests are staffing firefighters for 24-hour shifts. Twenty additional engines, 12 heavy air tanker and six Sky Crane helicopters also have been moved into the region.
The Forest Service says the Air National Guard has been asked to provide two C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems. In addition, San Diego has leased two Super Scoopers from Canada for the next 90 days, to make massive water drops should they be needed. They were used for the first time to fight a fire at Camp Pendleton this week.
With fire season upon us, county officials are urging residents to prepare themselves for an emergency. They want people living in our county to register their phone numbers.
For more information, check out Alert San Diego.
