The Santa Ana Winds, also known as Devil Winds, have been identified as the primary cause of the widespread wildfires in Los Angeles, California.
Filipino-American Dorothy McCoy, originally from Cagayan de Oro City, reported that her neighborhood is at risk of being affected by the advancing flames.
McCoy noted that despite the winter season, the state experiences these dry and powerful winds almost every January, intensifying fire hazards.
Residents in McCoy’s area are preparing for possible evacuation to nearby convention centers as the fires continue to close in on residential areas.
The state weather bureau has announced that the Santa Ana Winds are expected to persist until Saturday before dissipating from the Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles, known for its pleasant climate and as home to numerous Hollywood celebrities, is currently experiencing significant devastation.
Reports indicate several fatalities, the destruction of homes, banks, and churches, and the evacuation of over 30,000 residents to temporary shelters.
The Santa Ana Winds originate from cold, dry high-pressure air masses in the Great Basin, which create conditions that can rapidly spread wildfires.