Fire danger said to be extremely high through November due to expected heat and wind factor; residents should be prepared

SAN DIEGO - With stretches of dry, warm and windy weather expected this autumn and city budget cutbacks in the works, it is essential for San Diegans to do all they can to protect themselves from fires, authorities stressed today.

Officials from the San Diego Police Department, Fire-Rescue Department, county Sheriff's Department, U.S. Forest Service and National Weather Service urged residents this morning to take common sense steps to make their homes as safe from wildfire as possible.

"You can tell from the heat today how dry the conditions are in San Diego," Fire Chief Javier Mainar said. "...