At least five wildfires are ravaging Southern California, and the three largest have already killed at least five people, burned tens of thousands of acres and prompted the evacuation of an estimated 179,

The Santa Ana winds are dry, powerful winds that blow down the mountains toward the Southern California coast. The region sees about 10 Santa Ana wind events a year on average, typically occurring from fall into January. When conditions are dry, as they are right now, these winds can become a severe fire hazard.

Another wave of Santa Ana winds arrive Saturday, likely generating gusts over 40 mph throughout the Inland Empire going into Sunday.

Santa Ana winds in Southern California are often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire.

Nevertheless, winds will be strong enough to potentially cause explosive fire growth. On Monday morning and the rest of the day, winds will begin to pick up in the mountains and higher elevations, gusting 20 to 30 mph, locally as high as 50 mph.

Fast-moving Santa Ana winds – some as powerful as a hurricane – have been roaring across Southern California and feeding the wildfires firefighters are battling in the Los Angeles area. And the heightened fire risk will continue into next week.

The Eaton Fire – one of a multitude of wildfires incinerating the Los Angeles area – is still burning with little containment on Saturday as the Santa Ana wind event fueling the blazes is set to continue into next week.