The Santa Ana winds become particularly dangerous when combined with other climate conditions such as drought, which increases the risk of wildfires like the ones currently raging in the Los Angeles area.

The winds are common in California in the colder months, but they can sometimes help spread dangerous wildfires.

Fire crews in Los Angeles have gotten a brief reprieve from brutal Santa Ana winds that have been fueling five wildfires. At least three are still raging at zero containment, and nearly 180,00 people are under mandatory evacuation orders,