San Diego County issues extreme heat warning; warns of possible power shutoffs

The County of San Diego said the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for portions of the county and that the combination of extreme heat and forecast Santa Ana winds raises the possibility of Public Safety Power Shutoffs for some SDG&E customers through Oct. 5.

Forecasters expect dangerously high temperatures through next Thursday, with highs in the 90s near the coast and reaching the 100s in inland valleys; warm overnight lows will make cooling harder and the hot, dry, windy weather will raise wildfire danger, the county said.

SDG&E is monitoring conditions and may activate Public Safety Power Shutoffs if wildfire risk increases; the utility will post updates on its PSPS Dashboard as conditions change, the county said.

Residents should prepare now for possible outages and for heat illness. The county directs people to sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSanDiego.org and to use Cool Zones, including 33 branch libraries and community centers, for air-conditioned shelter; the county's website lists locations and includes an interactive map.

When temperatures rise this high, heat can cause heat exhaustion or heatstroke, the county said; older adults, children, people with chronic conditions, pregnant individuals and outdoor workers are especially at risk. Signs include dizziness, nausea, confusion, heavy sweating, headaches or fainting; seek help immediately if symptoms appear.

Basic precautions reduce risk: stay in air‑conditioned spaces during peak heat; drink plenty of water and avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks; wear lightweight, loose‑fitting clothing; avoid using fans alone when temperatures exceed 90 degrees; never leave children, older adults or pets in vehicles.

Near the Tijuana River Valley the county said it monitors hydrogen sulfide odors, which can increase during heat events; residents there should limit outdoor activity, close windows and run air‑conditioning on recirculate to reduce exposure.

Pet owners should keep animals indoors when possible, provide continuous clean water, limit outdoor activity to early morning or evening and never leave pets in parked cars, the county said.  The county also urged residents to charge phones, flashlights and medical devices; cool homes early; prepare communication plans with family and neighbors; keep water on hand; and monitor official alerts for PSPS updates and fire‑weather advisories, the county said in its release.  County emergency teams continue tracking weather and fire conditions and coordinating with public‑safety partners while departments reach out to vulnerable people in areas that may be most impacted.

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