SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Local firefighters are on guard this weekend because San Diego is facing a dangerous mix that’s perfect for wildfires.
“We’re going to have about a hundred-extra people working this weekend,” said Cal Fire Chief Tony Mecham.
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Temperatures in San Diego County are expected to spike this weekend. Those temperatures mixed with low humidity and a return of Santa Ana winds means wildfires could get out of control.
Chief Mecham said they have called all of their firefighters in to work this weekend; reserve firefighters have been activated; their Navy and Marine resources have been told to get ready; Cal Fire alerted CONOFOR, their Mexican counterparts; and they stationed two more air tankers at Brown Field in Otay Mesa.
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However, Mecham warned individual homeowners need to be prepared as well.
“I think a lot of people expect us to be their Plan A and that’s a good plan for your everyday 911 call and a fire engine shows up. When we get a large fire, we’re not going to have a fire engine at everybody’s house,” he said.
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10News asked Mecham what concerned him most when he looked at a map of San Diego County. He listed two places:
The area east of Alpine and south of Interstate 8 was his biggest concern.
He also mentioned the area known as the Santa Margarita Drainage. That is an area between Fallbrook and Riverside County. Both areas have a lot of fuel that has not burned in years and are susceptible to strong winds.
