**Santa Ana Winds to Persist Until Friday in Tijuana: Over 75 Incidents Addressed**
The Santa Ana wind conditions are expected to continue affecting Tijuana until Friday, with a noticeable decrease in wind intensity anticipated throughout the day. José Luis Jiménez González, the Director of Municipal Civil Protection (PCM), confirmed these details. The impact of these winds has been significant, as the city addressed approximately 75 incidents between the hours of 5 and 11 AM, including reports of fallen cables, trees on the verge of collapsing, grass fires, and illegal trash burning.
In a live social media broadcast, Jiménez González noted that a major incident involved a fire outbreak at a lumberyard in the eastern part of the city. Wind speeds reached a peak of 75 kilometers per hour in higher areas, while the rest of the city experienced average speeds of 35 to 40 kilometers per hour. A warning has been issued for residents to stay indoors and to avoid open-air activities, along with recommendations to don face masks and halt construction work on tall buildings.
Authorities have been prompt in redirecting reports of fallen cables and short circuits to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). PCM personnel have prioritized attending to emergency sites, especially focusing on fire containment efforts alongside Tijuana’s firefighting department. While school closures have not been mandated, Jiménez González has left the decision to parents on whether their children should attend classes during this period.
In the face of emergencies, citizens are urged to contact 911 to ensure incidents are appropriately managed.
**Secondary Article: Impact of Santa Ana Winds in the Region**
Reports from neighboring areas also highlight the adverse effects of the Santa Ana winds. In Tecate, strong winds have prompted concerns over potential temperature drops, leading residents to prepare for possible impacts on daily life and transportation.
Additionally, Tijuana faced ten atmospheric alerts in October due to poor air quality, attributed partly to these seasonal winds, which have historically increased fire outbreaks by 42%. These blazes often begin in vacant lots and can spread to nearby homes, warranting increased vigilance from local authorities and citizens alike.
Moreover, the climate impact has extended to changes in the operational status within the city. Just recently, a section of the new General Hospital in the East Zone began operations, designed to serve nearly 300,000 residents in its first phase. The facility includes 110 beds, six operating rooms, and advanced medical equipment, which is crucial, given the heightened emergency response needs tied to the regional wind events.