Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and ongoing drought conditions, wildfires erupted Tuesday in Southern California, threatening homes in Pacific Palisades.

Santa Ana winds will create extreme fire danger and bring the possibility of damaging winds not seen in 10-plus years for some areas.

Dangerous winds in Los Angeles are intensifying the rapidly-spreading wildfires. Meanwhile, much of the rest of the country is bracing for a major winter storm. TODAY’s Al Roker tracks the forecast.

Santa Ana winds in Southern California are often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire.

Santa Ana winds are fueling dangerous wildfire conditions in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California.

The fierce Santa Ana winds that stoked a blaze that scorched thousands of acres near Los Angeles will wallop San Diego County early Wednesday, in the start of what forecasters say could be a week or more of off-and-on lashings in a region that’s drier than it’s been in years.