Forecasters in Southern California expect to issue a 'particularly dangerous situation' red flag warning for the coming week as the Santa Ana wind forecast worsens.

Southern California is facing fierce fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds, which threaten homes and put firefighters to the test.

Critical fire conditions are expected to continue through Friday. But rain could be on the way this weekend. Here's what to know.

The Santa Ana winds are dry, powerful winds that blow down the mountains toward the Southern California coast. The region sees about 10 Santa Ana wind events a year on average, typically occurring from fall into January. When conditions are dry, as they are right now, these winds can become a severe fire hazard.

Meteorologists said there was a chance the winds would be as severe as those that fueled the Palisades and Eaton fires, but that different locations would likely be affected.

The National Weather Service says much of Ventura County could see a half-inch of rainfall. Here's what to expect this weekend.

Another moderate to strong Santa Ana wind event is expected to develop across Southern California during the first half of the workweek.

Winds have picked up and are expected to continue through Tuesday morning, raising the risk of new wildfires sparking.

Strong, damaging Santa Ana winds are expected to bring extreme ... a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard, California. The areas likely to see the strongest gusts ...

But the forecast doesn't show a strong Santa Ana at least through next week, according to Kittell. “Let's hope we get as gentle, but soaking a rain as possible in Southern California this ...

Another moderate to strong Santa Ana wind event is expected to develop across Southern California during the first half of the workweek, heightening wildfire dangers in a region still coping with the last significant firestorm from nearly two weeks ago.

Authorities warned this week of a possibly "life-threatening, destructive" Santa Ana windstorm ... according to Thompson. Southern California Edison was monitoring nearly 70 local circuits.