San Diego County at high risk of fire today; SDGE shuts off power to 8,000 in East County

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - With unseasonable heat and strong Santa Ana winds expected in the San Diego area through the end of the workweek, local firefighting crews were on high alert today and utility officials shut off power to nearly 8,000 East County homes and businesses in a bid to prevent wildfires.

To alert the public to the combustion hazards posed by the hot and windy conditions, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning, in effect until 5 p.m. Friday in the mountains and valleys. During the period, sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph were expected, with gusts up to 65 mph near mount...