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.

Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through Friday evening for much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, the National Weather Service said.

Coverage of the fires ravaging Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Pasadena, including stories about the devastation, issues firefighters faced and the weather.

Chart showing structures destroyed by Los Angeles County's most destructive wildfires. Palisades Fire far exceeds damage from previous fires. The most destructive fires in Los Angeles County history

Nearly a dozen people are believed to be dead and many more injured as several fires broke out across Southern California amid historically dry and windy conditions.