A "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning remains in effect as strong winds cause extreme fire danger in Southern California.

The winds fueling Southern California wildfires form when a high-pressure system develops over the Great Basin in Utah and Nevada

Forecasters expect strong Santa Ana winds to return to the Los Angeles area this week with gusts up to 70 miles an hour in some places, putting firefighters in a race against time to control massive blazes that have killed 24 people and destroyed more than 12,

Santa Ana winds occur when air flows west from a region of high pressure over the dry Great Basin to lower pressure off the California coast, According to Accuweather. As that cool interior air flows over and through mountain passes, it accelerates, sinks and compresses.

The winds are common in California in the colder months, but they can sometimes help spread dangerous wildfires.

Although winds were weaker than expected Tuesday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, windy conditions are expected to intensify late in the evening before another "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warning takes effect again,

Powerful Santa Ana winds are returning to the Los Angeles area this week, worrying officials as they work to contain multiple large wildfires.

Forecasters are calling for another windstorm to hit Southern California this week, creating what officials described as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) across the region. Powerful wind gusts locally are expected to be between 45 and 70 mph from early Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon,