Residents preparing as Red Flag Warning takes effect in San Diego County

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Some San Diego County residents are preparing for the worst as Red Flag Warnings take effect , signaling potentially critical fire weather conditions.

“Where are my pictures? I’m just thinking about where things are in case you have to make that sudden move because you just never know,” said Scripps Ranch resident, Lori Shelton.

Shelton compares the conditions this morning to the day of a fire in the same area years ago, when the Cedar Fire — one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history — ripped through hundreds of thousands of acres in the county.

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“We were here in 2003, I believe that’s when the big fires came through Scripps Ranch,” said Shelton.

Saying she didn’t need to see the red flag warning to know something was up.

“I mainly saw the trees and I knew right away,” added Shelton.

Gusty winds and low relative humidity in affected areas mean any fires that start will likely spread rapidly, but Cal Fire says these conditions are not uncommon this time of year.

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