Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades grew to nearly 20,000 acres by Friday.

The gusty winds that helped spread multiple wildfires gradually subsided on Wednesday afternoon, but dry conditions mean less potent winds could still be dangerous. More strong winds are expected later Thursday.

The strongest winds likely reached their peak overnight in Southern California, but powerful offshore gusts will continue throughout the day on Wednesday as the winds start to blow more from the east to northeast.

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.

When coastal California becomes news with the report of multiple wildfires, especially during fall and winter, there is usually a mention of Santa Ana winds. These winds are the result of strong high pressure farther east in the inter-mountain western region,