The National Weather Service warns to “stay on guard for a fast-moving fire,” as winds may challenge containment efforts. Follow live updates on the Palisades, Eaton and other fires.

Containing wildfires—never mind extinguishing them—in parched and windy conditions can be monstrously difficult. Dry vegetation is rocket fuel for blazes and wind both feeds the flames and spreads the embers. “The winds are like pointing an air blower at a fireplace,” says Gershunov, “except it’s not contained and it’s on a much larger scale.”