The last time it was this dry in January, there were barely more than 500 people in San Diego. The year was 1850, and only a quarter-inch of rain had fallen in six months. It made the region ripe for wildfire — but that wasn’t much of a concern. The city’s population was clustered along the coast, far from the backcountry, where most fires burned.

The National Weather Service has extended a Red Flag Warning until Friday morning for San Diego County's inland valleys and mountains.

A critical fire threat will continue across County as Santa Ana winds and dry conditions persist through early Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

San Diego County remains under the grip of another round of moderate to strong Santa Ana winds, paired with extremely dry air, elevating critical fire weather concerns.

Scores of residents were urged to flee as fast-moving fires hurtled through bone-dry brush in Bonsall and Mission Valley Tuesday

Dangerous conditions continue to develop in San Diego County, with red flag warnings and strong winds increasing the wildfire threat. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings until 8 p.m. Thursday for inland valleys and mountain areas, with winds expected to reach 30 to 45 mph with gusts of 60 to 75 mph.

With the strongest of the winds in the inland valleys and mountains of San Diego County on Monday night through Tuesday morning, the highest wind gusts of 102 mph were recorded in Sill Hill, near Julian. This is a typical wind-prone area in the mountains known for exceptionally high wind gusts, offshore and onshore.

Red flag warnings are in effect until Thursday for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, San Diego, due to low humidity and an uptick in Santa Ana winds.

Southern California residents are facing new threats after rain fell over neighborhoods most impacted by recent wildfires.Much-needed rain fell in the Los Angeles area on Saturday and showers are expected to continue on Sunday,

California officials warn of flood risks from rain after Trump adds conditions to LA disaster aid: Live - Seven fires are still raging across Southern California and have consumed more than 57,000 acr

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Winds picked up on Tuesday in Southern California and at least a couple of new wildfires broke out as firefighters remained on alert in extreme fire weather two weeks after two major blazes started that are still burning in the Los Angeles area.