The stiff Santa Ana winds that stoked a short-lived but dangerous wildfire Monday in Poway were expected to be flat-out wicked before dawn Tuesday in San Diego’s backcountry, where something as minor as the heat from a car muffler could spark a major blaze,

The Santa Anas are expected to be most powerful Monday night into Tuesday. Fire services across the region say they are ready.

Meteorologists said there was a chance the winds would be as severe as those that fueled the Palisades and Eaton fires, but that different locations would likely be affected.

Tree limbs that break off in high winds were often incorrectly pruned, plus how much defensible space is enough for fire safety?

Watch KTLA team coverage of the latest wind event to create a wildfire risk in metro Los Angeles. Jan. 20, 2025.

As winds across the Southern California area are calmer than their peak and firefighters are making progress, the threat to the fire-weary region remains with Santa Ana winds expected to continue in the coming days.

Forecasters in Southern California expect to issue a 'particularly dangerous situation' red flag warning for the coming week as the Santa Ana wind forecast worsens.

The National Weather Service issued its highest fire weather alert level for portions of the Los Angeles area for Monday into Tuesday morning, as powerful Santa Ana winds return. Threat level: The "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning indicates any fires that ignite could quickly grow out of control.

After a weekend of reprieve allowing fire teams to continue making progress battling the deadly infernos burning in Los Angeles County, Southern California now faces another round of fire-fueling Santa Ana winds.