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.

At least five wildfires are ravaging Southern California, and the three largest have already killed at least five people, burned tens of thousands of acres and prompted the evacuation of an estimated 179,

The winds will come and go, with the strongest gusts expected early next week, especially next Monday night and into Tuesday, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Los Angeles and parts of Ventura County through Thursday evening, meaning that conditions for wildfires will be at their highest thanks to low humidity,

Santa Ana winds are hot, dry winds that blow in from the northeast. They pick up speed as they hit the mountains around LA, and send humidity levels plunging, further upping the fire risk.

Meteorologists said there was a chance the winds would be as severe as those that fueled the Palisades and Eaton fires, but that different locations would likely be affected.

Another Santa Ana wind event is expected to bring back fire danger to Southern California. Cooler temperatures are expected through the weekend as an onshore flow returns, according to the National Weather Service.