Wildfire alert issued for East County

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – The East County mountains and deserts were put on
alert for extreme wildfire hazards Monday, reflecting conditions likely to
increase challenges faced by air and ground crews battling a 900-acre blaze in
the Campo area.

A “red flag” warning went into effect at noon and was slated to run
through 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. The NWS
issues the notification when strong air currents, low humidity and warm
temperatures combine to create critical fire potential.

Today's blustery conditions stem from an eastward-moving low-pressure
system, according to meteorologists.

Over the period, winds will blow through eastern San Diego County at 20-
30 mph, possibly gusting up to 60 mph, the NWS reported. The lowest daytime
humidity levels will drop to as low as 5 percent, the agency advised.

The so-called Old Fire, which erupted about 2 p.m. Sunday off Old
Highway 80 and Miller Valley Road, destroyed a home and an outbuilding and
forced hundreds of residential evacuations while spreading over back-country
terrain east of Pine Valley.

As of early this afternoon, crews had the burn area roughly 30 percent
contained, according to Cal Fire.