With the strongest gusts expected on Tuesday, extreme fire condition threats will prevail until midweek, L.A.-area fire chiefs say.

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,

So far, the strongest winds recorded during the fires were around 100 miles per hour, which is considered hurricane-force strength. The strong Santa Ana winds are still expected to remain throughout the week, which is not ideal for the ongoing fight to contain the fires.

Many Michiganders or those with ties to the Mitten got caught in the crosshairs of the dangerous wildfires that continue to burn.

Much of Southern California is under a red flag warning through Wednesday with more strong winds in the forecast.

The intense and fast-moving fires that have cut a path of destruction through the suburbs of Los Angeles, killing at least two people, are being driven by the region's powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts that in some cases surpass hurricane-strength.

As two major fires continue to burn in and near Los Angeles, fire officials warn that major Santa Ana winds are expected to return early Tuesday

A growing force of firefighters moved into the Los Angeles area Monday as more powerful winds were expected to trigger new wildfires that could set back the recent progress made in containing blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.

Gusty Santa Ana winds are forecast to come and go over southern California in the next several days, at times further exacerbating the deadly and devastating wildfires across the region.

Another Santa Ana wind event is expected to bring back fire danger to Southern California. Cooler temperatures are expected through the weekend as an onshore flow returns, according to the National Weather Service.

Residents forced to evacuate from the fires are still "probably at least a week out" from returning home, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna says during a briefing. The death toll from the fires rises, with the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner reporting two additional fire-related deaths, bringing the total to 27.

One of the biggest stories of 2025 thus far has been the wildfires in California. A common occurrence in that state, wildfires are often fueled by a combination of drought and terrain. The terrain allows for the development of Santa Ana winds that cause any fire to spread very quickly.