Santa Ana winds drive multiple California fires, thousands lose power
Hot Santa Ana winds are driving multiple wildfires across Southern California with thousands without power.
Multiple wildfires are burning across Southern California as dangerous Santa Ana winds grip the region on Friday. The Santa Ana winds are hot, dry and gusty, pushing flames rapidly across the landscape.
The Bryson Fire has burned 100 hectares and is being fought by more than 400 firefighters. A separate fire in the coastal city of San Clemente spread to 81 hectares and moved into neighbouring San Juan Capistrano, forcing evacuation orders.
A blaze in Malibu also prompted evacuations. Winds are expected to reach 80 to 112 kilometres per hour in some areas through Friday afternoon and into Saturday.
Tens of thousands of people across California have lost power as the utility turned it off preventively. Humidity levels are dropping, creating what authorities call a critical fire weather threat.
- 100 hectares
- Bryson Fire size
- More than 400
- Bryson Fire firefighters
- 81 hectares
- San Clemente fire size
- 80 to 112 kilometres per hour
- Wind gusts forecast
Why it mattersThe fires and power outages disrupt daily life for hundreds of thousands of people, and dangerous conditions could lead to more blazes and destruction.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, but the scale and intensity of California fires have captured global attention and show how wildfire seasons are becoming more severe.
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