Dozens of wildfires burning in southern California could spread further out of control, based on troubling forecasts of more gusty winds earlier this week.

Forced forest fires tens of thousands to evacuate Los Angeles last week. The fires are supercharged by extremely dry ground conditions and strong winds from the northeast, which caused infernos to spread rapidly in a densely populated area. Some of the strongest gusts that fueled the fire last week were blowing at about 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). The latest weather reports indicate that conditions will remain more favorable for wildfires to spread through the middle of the week.

According to a National Weather Service alertweather conditions in the area “will again result in strong winds across generally favored areas across the southern California coast today with sustained winds between 40-50mph (64 to 80 km /hr).”

“Conditions are expected to worsen for these locations on Tuesday morning as wind gusts near 70 mph (113 km/h) will be possible,” the alert added.

Taken in tandem with low humidity throughout the region and a lack of recent rain, the conditions are ready for wildfires. NWS released a Particularly Hazardous Situation Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties in effect from Monday evening through Wednesday morning.

A Red Flag warning “means that critical fire weather conditions will occur now … or soon,” according to the NWS. “A combination of strong winds … low humidity … and warm temperatures may contribute to the extreme nature of the fire.”

According to Cal Firethere are currently 105 wildfires larger than 10 hectares burning across the state. The largest fires so far are the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles county, which have burned 23,713 acres and 14,117 acres, respectively. The Palisades Fire is currently 14% contained and the Eaton Fire is 33% contained. The Hurst Fire, an 800-acre fire also in LA county, is 89% contained. All the fires started on January 7.

In total, California’s current wildfire emergencies have burned more than 40,000 acres, destroyed 12,300 structures, and killed 13 people, Cal Fire reports, although The New York Times have died on the 24th and counting.

It’s not a good start to the year, especially considering that during the fire usually runs from May to November. Although 40,000 acres is nothing compared to the one million acres in California that burned last year, we’re not even two weeks into January. Additionally, the location of ongoing fires makes them more dangerous; the 8,000 wildfires that burned last year caused only one death and damaged or destroyed 2,148 structures—far fewer than this year.

The origin of the fires is still under investigation. Forest fires have many sources, from human activity to electrified birds that set off the fire (seriously).

there some important steps you can take it if you are in a place that might catch fire easily. If you want to help with wildfire recovery, resources can be found in LA County website.