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January 8, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for San Diego County mountains and valleys today and tomorrow due to high winds and extreme fire danger. The strong winds that have fueled two large wildfires decimating Los Angeles County are forecast to move into San Diego County next.
This is the driest winter period measured from October 1 through January 8 since 1850, according to the National Weather Service, increasing fire danger.
Due to high winds and potential power outages, schools in six local districts will be closed today. The San Diego County Office of Education announced the closures for:
- Julian Union Elementary School District
- Julian Union High School District
- Mountain Empire Unified School District
- Ramona Unified School District
- Spencer Valley School District
- Warner Unified School District
“The safety of students and school staff is of the utmost importance to San Diego County school districts,” officials said in a news release.
In Los Angeles County, devastating fires have collectively destroyed over 1,000 homes and two people have died, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Palisades Fire (Photo,left, by Henri Migala) has burned over 2,900 acres and has destroyed many homes, including beachfront houses along Pacific Coast Highway, since it began yesterday morning in Pacific Palisades. Over 30,000 residences have been evacuated in cities including Santa Monita, Topanga, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades.
Photo, left by Henri Migala: Palisades Fire viewed from Westin Hotel near LAX this morning.
The Eaton Fire in Altadena/Pasadena soared to 2,227 acres overnight. In Sylmar, the Hurst Fire has burned 500 acres. All of these fires remain zero percent contained.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state emergency due to the Los Angeles County Fires.
The winds fueling these devastating wildfires are moving into San Diego next, posing extreme fire danger here. Some local firefighters are now in L.A. helping to battle those fires.
SDG&E has begun shutting off power to prevent fires in some rural communities, with more outages anticipated.
Please be prepared for power outages and evacuation if necessary.Avoid any actions that could spark a brush fire, such as weed whacking or parking a vehicle atop try brush.
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Comments
Staying safe in Los Angeles amidst the numerous fires!
Thank you Miriam, I am relatively safe, although I can smell the smoke though my windows. I live off Crenshaw, which is near the historic Lemert Park, just down the street from my church West Angeles Church of God, which also happens to be the church home of noted actress Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney Vance, whom I wrote a book review of this past year in the East County Magazine. I actually went by the Church last night, although we were warned against it due to the fires, but I felt a need to go to Albertson's to get some food and other essentials. I felt safe, as there were no fires in the immediate vicinity. These fires did resonate with me, and in particular those in Malibu, as I recall being an invited guest at a palatial home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, of authors that I had written two separate book reviews for in the East County Magazine several years ago. I was actually the guest of honor at their book signing in their home! Thanks for the advice Miriam, but I do feel relatively safe where I am at! I do pray for the others here in Los Angeles!
Raging fires here in Los Angeles!
As I have now moved to Los Angeles, I find myself in the midst of four raging fires in this city, with two deaths and numerous structural damage. I live right off Crenshaw, near the historic Lemert Park area where the movie collateral was filmed, with Jamie Foxx. It is quite concerning, with smoke coming through my windows!
Oh no, Dennis! Stay safe.
Do you have a vehicle or means to evacuate quickly if need be? I just read that Air BNB has a deal to offer a week's free lodging to anyone who has to evacuate the L.A. fires.
Which fire is in your area and how far away is it?