Southern California is facing fierce fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds, which threaten homes and put firefighters to the test.

Strong winds fueled fires across Santa Ana in California. Dramatic footage shows a plume of smoke rising from a hillside, with strong winds swaying trees in the foreground on3. Reports indicated the large vegetation fire started Thursday afternoon on a hilltop near the US-Mexico border.

The Santa Ana winds are dry, powerful winds that blow down the mountains toward the Southern California coast. The region sees about 10 Santa Ana wind events a year on average, typically occurring from fall into January. When conditions are dry, as they are right now, these winds can become a severe fire hazard.

LOS ANGELES – Southern California braces for a ferocious return of fire danger as the National Weather Service issues its most urgent warning for extreme fire weather. Destructive Santa Ana ...

California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed fire engines, water-dropping aircraft and hand crews across the region—to enable a rapid response if a new fire does break out, according to The Associated Press.

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