Unseasonable Heat Wave Grips Southern California

Hot, dry and windy conditions prompted warnings about increased fire danger

This week's unseasonable mid-October heat wave is expected to loosen its grip on Southern California by Friday.

But in the meantime, the week's highest temperatures were expected Wednesday, with only slightly cooler conditions Thursday.

At 11 a.m., Downtown coastal San Diego and Borrego Springs inland were the same temperature -- 86 degrees. One NBC 7 San Diego Twitter follower said the temperature in El Cajon reached 101 degrees. Other inland areas experienced the same heat. 

NBC 7 San Diego Weather: Forecasts, Radar and Video.

The hot and dry conditions – along with very dry fuels – have prompted warnings about elevated fire danger across the region through Thursday. A blaze in the Los Padres National Forest Wednesday prompted a quick response.

High heat this time of year stirs painful memories for San Diegans in fire-prone areas. It will be five years this coming weekend since the wildfires that destroyed 1600 homes in the county, more than 300 here in Rancho Bernardo.

Firefighters said last week's rain will not make much of a difference in the fuel-levels of San Diego's dry brush.

"Here in San Diego County, fire season is year round," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler. "It's extremely dry, it's warm. As you can see behind me, the fuels are extremely dry. We could have a large fire today, one this month. Don't let the rain fool you."

For mountain, foothill and desert areas of San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties, the National Weather Service issued a "hazardous weather outlook" due to the fire danger.

Contact Us