In January 2025, a record-breaking dry winter and the Santa Ana winds combined to create a fire season that devastated two Los Angeles communities. Thousands of people lost their homes and stability after their neighborhoods were destroyed. Photographer Gideon Mendel documented these losses in 129 portraits of the people, places, and objects changed by the fires: https://on.natgeo.com/452Cxpn | National Geographic

A Santa Ana wind event is expected to impact southern California into the weekend. These winds are strong downslope winds that blow through the mountain passes. The winds can easily exceed 40 MPH, are warm and dry and can severely exacerbate brush or forest fires. For more: https://go.nasa.gov/2YH7Dlt | U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)