Santa Ana winds are driving destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles suburbs, resulting in at least two fatalities and significant property damage.
The Palisades and Eaton Fires have each destroyed over 10,000 acres, leading to mandatory evacuations affecting nearly 70,000 residents.
Current forecasts indicate sustained winds of up to 40 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 100 mph exacerbating fire containment efforts.
Experts note that this year's Santa Ana winds are particularly intense due to a combination of conditions, including extreme dryness and upper atmospheric winds.
Historically, these winds, which occur from September to May, result from high pressure over the desert pushing air into lower pressure areas along the coast.
For more information, visit the original article at NPR.