A “particularly dangerous situation” fire weather event is underway in California as dry air and strong winds combine to ramp up the risk of “life-threatening” and rapid wildfire spread.

Fire officials warned of a "particularly dangerous situation" in LA and Ventura Counties, the highest threat level. LOS ANGELES (CN) — High winds raked much of California and spurred a handful of wildfires Wednesday, including one in the wealthy seaside enclave of Malibu.

Wind gusts topping 70 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains are providing a taste of the conditions that are expected to continue into Thursday.

Residents in Southern California face an extreme fire weather threat Wednesday as dry conditions overlap with strong Santa Ana winds.

California was lashed by powerful winds Wednesday that caused humidity levels to drop and raised the risk of wildfires in much of the

EXTREME FIRE WEATHER. Powerful Santa Ana winds will increase the fire danger in portions of California over the next few days. Red flag warnings (above) have been issued for porti

California was lashed by powerful winds Wednesday that caused humidity levels to drop and prompted forecasters to warn of the potential for “extreme and life-threatening” wildfires. Los Angeles County Fire Department crews scrambled to contain a small blaze fed by erratic gusts that pushed flames through dry brush at a park along Pacific Coast Highway near Pepperdine University in Malibu.

The Santa Ana winds raging in Southern California are hitting hurricane speeds in some areas, prompting weather officials to describe the fire conditions as “EXTREME.” In fact, the National Weather Service described the winds and low humidity,