Damaging winds, downed trees, power outages and raging wildfires. Santa Ana winds can lead to all of these and more, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions. Knowing what Santa Ana winds are and what to do could save your life.

Santa Ana winds in Southern California are often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire.

Much of the Los Angeles area resembled a war zone Wednesday as at least four massive fires raged unchecked and destroyed hundreds of structures, driven by the worst Santa Ana winds to hit the region in more than a decade — winds that were expected to ease slightly by evening but continue into Thursday.