Known winds to fuel wildfires in southern California are expected to propel themselves for the first time this year on Sunday night, putting the region on alert, according to the national meteorological service.

The first strong winds of Santa Ana this season can reach gusts of up to 75 mph in the mountains of the region, creating extreme weather conditions for fires until Tuesday night.

Last year, the winds resulted in the late Thomas, who destroyed over 280,000 acres in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. and took more than a month to contain. Before the fire at the Mendocino complex in northern California did not pass this summer, the Thomas Fire was the largest forest fire in modern history of the United States. # 39; State.

the the fire warnings cover parts of the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Riverside and San Bernardino. Strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can combine to fuel fires that threaten people's lives and threaten their property.

In the counties of Los Angeles and Ventura in particular, gusts of 45 to 65 mph will dry the fuel made wet by recent rains, according to this opinion. Minimum humidities of between 4 and 12 percent on Monday and Tuesday and temperatures of 81 to 91 degrees will also create dry, warm air that can spread fires quickly. All fires could start with fires far ahead of the main flames and behave erratically, reported Ventura County Star, part of the USA TODAY network.

Related: "Beyond a Perfect Storm": A Californian Fire Caused by the Wind: A Record

Related: The bill comes after the fire: the rising cost of fighting California flames

The meteorological service advised the public to be careful about sources of ignition, taking into account the risk of rapid growth and extreme fire behavior. Sudden cross winds in bursts can also make driving difficult and cause power outages. People must stay clear of fallen trees and power lines, The Los Angeles forecast office tweeted.

The winds of Santa Ana, which are most common from September to May, bring dry air to the interior deserts of California and Southwest. They sweep the mountains between the coast of the state and the desert areas, compressing and warming themselves. The relative humidity of the heated air then decreases, which dries vegetation and is a fuel of choice for forest fires.

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