• Southern California is experiencing another wave of fire weather, predicted to last throughout next week.
• Record-setting dry conditions have persisted since May 5, with no days registering significant rainfall.
• The upcoming weather is marked by moderate Santa Ana winds, posing increased fire risks.
• Recent wildfires in the region have caused extensive damage, burning thousands of structures and claiming lives.
• Authorities are continuing search efforts for victims of the devastating blazes.

Another round of fire weather is set to impact Southern California, bringing heightened risks as communities grapple with the aftermath of devastating wildfires earlier this month. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service have warned, "The bottom line is: we're in uncharted territories this deep into the winter, or rainy season" given the region's persistent dryness.

After relatively calm winds over the weekend, fire weather is expected to return on Monday, with a peak threat anticipated for Tuesday through Thursday, according to forecasts. The forecasters from the National Weather Service added that red flag warnings are likely for various areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Since May 6, there has been a staggering 257 consecutive days without significant rainfall (over one-tenth of an inch) recorded in downtown Los Angeles, marking the driest start to the water year on record. As of now, the area has received a mere 0.16 inches of rain since October 1, only 3% of its normal rainfall for this period. “This is the driest period for this time frame for locations such as Los Angeles International Airport and Woodland Hills,” noted meteorologist Alex Tardy.

Adding to the perilous situation are moderate Santa Ana winds, expected to gust between 30 mph to 50 mph across affected areas. Peak gusts are forecasted to reach up to 51 mph in Acton and throughout other impacted regions. Rose Schoenfeld, another meteorologist, explained that these winds "predominantly affect northern and western portions of LA County and much of Ventura County," raising concerns for rapid fire growth.

Tragically, the recent fires, including the Palisades and Eaton infernos, have devastated the region, causing over 27 fatalities and destroying more than 11,000 structures. As of Saturday, the Palisades fire burned approximately 23,713 acres and was 43% contained, while the Eaton fire had charred around 14,117 acres and was 73% contained. Search efforts for missing individuals from these fires continue as the community comes to terms with the damage.

For ongoing updates and detailed coverage, refer to the articles from LA Times and SFGate.