Fresh off destructive wind and firestorms that have left at least five people dead and neighborhoods in ruins, the forecast remains daunting for Southern California, with additional damaging Santa Ana wind threats and critical fire weather danger continuing at times over the next several days.

Multiple wildfires are currently raging through Los Angeles County, forcing evacuations and destroying neighborhoods. A long dry summer created ample fuel that has combined with a lack of rainfall over the winter to extend fire season conditions.

By the time the winds get to the point where the Eaton Fire broke out in Altadena on Jan. 7, it’s not uncommon for them to have less than 5 percent relative humidity, meaning essentially no moisture at all.