The strength of the wind is what helps to spread fires rapidly. Speeds of 60 to 80mph (95-130km/h) are common, but gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) can occur during the worst Santa Ana events.

Santa Ana winds, which are common in Southern California during cooler months, are behind some of the Golden State’s most vicious fires.

A Santa Ana wind event is fueling wildfires in Los Angeles that have destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. Here’s what to know about the winds.

The winds, gusting more than 70 mph, have been powerful enough to knock over semitrucks and can carry away embers that could start new fires for miles.

What to know about Santa Ana winds. Wind moves from high pressure to low pressure. When you add Southern California's rugged topography of mountains, canyons and passes, that wind can now pick up ...

️ The Santa Ana winds: A cultural and destructive force in Southern California But "this one is not typical," Wofford says. This time, the Santa Anas are coupled with "very strong winds in the ...

Multiple wildfires are burning in Los Angeles, fueled by Santa Ana winds. NPR speaks with a National Weather Service meteorologist about why these winds can be so dangerous and destructive.

The name is understood to be linked to Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County, but the weather has other nicknames such as “devil winds” or “red wind.” Santa Ana occurs during the cooler months ...

Santa Ana wind events aren’t new, but we’re seeing them more often this time of year. My colleagues and I recently published a paper comparing 71 years of Santa Ana wind events, starting in 1948.

The extreme Santa Ana windstorm that has spread wildfires through Los Angeles abated slightly on Thursday morning, but the calmer winds are likely to be only a brief respite.