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,

Four wildfires fueled by ferocious winds are now scorching thousands of acres in Southern California, with zero containment as of Wednesday morning. At least two people were reported dead in Los Angeles County and more than 80,

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.

Strong winds — with gusts as high as 79 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains — began blowing their way through Southern California on Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, leading to the possibility of downed trees and wires, power outages and dangerous fire weather.

Wildfires and strong winds in Southern California have devastated the region burning thousands of acres and causing at least 30,000 evacuations.

Homes, apartment complexes, and businesses have completely burned down and at least two people have died. Authorities say 70,000 people are under evacuation orders. CBS News Los Angeles' Elise Preston leads team coverage.

Los Angeles wildfires have spread to the countryside damaging houses, properties of thousands including many Hollywood celebrities.

For the third time since early November, parts of Southern California’s Los Angeles and Ventura counties are under a red-flag warning for extreme fire danger.

Santa Ana winds are caused by strong high pressure over the Great Basin region of the West creating a pressure gradient that amps up winds through the mountains, foothills and sometimes valleys of Southern California. In this case, the winds are getting a major boost from a strong upper-level low pushing southward across the state.