Amid an already dry winter season, the first Santa Ana wind event of 2025 is elevating fire danger this week and threatening power shut-offs for thousands of San Diego Gas & Electric customers.

That’s leading to the creation of mountain waves, which arise when strong winds blow perpendicular to a mountain range. The waves shoot down the coastal side of the mountains, gaining speed along the way, and are more casually referred to as simple Santa Ana winds.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for San Diego County due to high winds and low humidity.

Potentially critical fire weather is likely to arrive in San Diego Tuesday and worsen into mid-week, with Santa Ana winds setting in amid dry conditions.

San Diego County — in the midst of one of the driest periods on record — will be lashed by unusually cold and expansive Santa Ana winds early Wednesday that could spark wildfires, snap trees and knock out power,

Cal Fire says it’s preparing for critical fire risk across San Diego County by shifting resources from northern areas and canceling days off as Southern California faces dangerous Santa Ana winds and a red flag warning.

San Diego Gas & Electric began public safety power shutoffs Tuesday as San Diego County braces for a Santa Ana wind event and Red Flag Warning.