The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with dangerously high winds expected to return.

Sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts up to 70 mph are forecast for the region, particularly on Tuesday, which could make firefighting efforts even more difficult.

The combination of dry conditions, low humidity, and strong Santa Ana winds is fueling the flames, making this one of the most perilous fire seasons in recent memory.

Fire crews received additional support on Sunday, with 70 water trucks deployed to help fight the flames. Aircraft also dropped fire retardant along vulnerable hillsides in an attempt to slow the spread of the fires.

The fires, which began last week, have been exacerbated by the dry conditions and the powerful Santa Ana winds, which have turned them into catastrophic wildfires.

More than a dozen people are missing in the areas affected by the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire, and authorities are working to confirm whether some of the missing may be among the fatalities.

With little rainfall in the area for over eight months, the region remains highly susceptible to further fire risks, and officials are bracing for the worst as winds pick up again.

A house is engulfed by the flames on the site of the Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles County, California, the United States, on Jan. 7, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)