Red Flag Warning issued for parts of San Diego County

SAN DIEGO - A red flag warning denoting a high risk of wildfire was in force in valley and mountain areas of San Diego County for the second consecutive day today.

The National Weather Service said the warning will expire at 5 p.m. Until then, dry, windy and warm conditions will heighten the risk of wildfire in the valleys and mountains, according to the agency.

A red flag warning is the Weather Service's most serious fire-related warning. It is generally issued amid high winds, high heat and low humidity.

The agency also issued a wind advisory for the valleys and mountains until noon, saying winds will be strongest from sunrise to mid-morning.

Sustained east winds of 10 to 20 miles per hour and widespread gusts of up to 45 mph are expected today, and isolated gusts of up to 50 mph are possible through passes and canyons, according to the Weather Service.

''Conditions will improve somewhat by (tonight) as offshore flow weakens,'' the NWS said.