Santa Ana winds are whipping Southern California on Tuesday, sparking fresh fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 27 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out.

More than 100,000 LA residents have been evacuated from their homes and about 29,000 acres (11,300 hectares) have been burned by the five fires as of early Thursday morning (Jan. 9.) The fires have destroyed more than 1,000 structures so far and five confirmed fatalities have been reported, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Another round of fire-fueling Santa Ana winds is lashing Southern California after a brief weekend reprieve helped crews make more progress battling the deadly infernos in Los Angeles County.

Critical fire weather is expected to continue until Wednesday at the earliest, increasing the risk that fires will spread further.

Firefighters braced for high winds, with the National Weather Service of LA issuing its most serious advisory, “Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS)".

Residents live in fear of the Santa Ana desert winds, which are fast-moving, dry and extremely warm – conditions that can turn a tiny spark into a raging blaze. So how do they form, and how are they affecting the fires in the Los Angeles region? Here is everything you need to know.

Santa Ana winds will continue whipping through Southern California through Thursday, sparking fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 28 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out.

Parched Southern California was forecast to face more dangerous winds on Wednesday but could get some needed rain this weekend, dampening prospects of another round of deadly wildfires while raising the possibility of challenges like toxic ash runoff.

Dangerous winds returned to Southern California on Tuesday as new wildfires broke out and a pair of major Los Angeles-area blazes burned for a third week, while officials made preparations to protect scorched neighborhoods from toxic ash runoff ahead of potential rain this weekend.

Powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching hurricane strength, swept down the mountains outside Los Angeles and spread wildfires into several neighborhoods in early January 2025, creating a terrifying scene.

Firefighters battle the Lilac Fire in Bonsall, Calif., early Tuesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP)