The Kenneth Fire was threatening houses in the Hidden Hills, home to many celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, and was 50 percent contained Friday afternoon.

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.

Neighbors held man, seen with propane torch, until cops arrive, leading to a potential break in Kenneth Fire investigation.

A new brush fire erupted in the West Hills area Thursday afternoon. The Kenneth Fire triggered mandatory evacuations in the area, including Calabasas.

By 6 p.m., the fire grew to 960 acres, fanned by gusty Santa Ana winds. By 9 p.m., it was mapped at 1,000 acres with a 35% containment. The forward rate of spread has been stopped. On Thursday night, an arson suspect was arrested in Woodland Hills near the ...

Thank you for reporting this station. We will review the data in question. You are about to report this weather station for bad data. Please select the information that is incorrect.

Answer: Santa Ana winds are dry, warm and gusty winds that blow from the interior of southern California toward the coast and offshore. They are a type of downslope wind, which is a wind directed down a slope produced by processes larger in scale than the slope.

As winds across the Southern California area are calmer than their peak and firefighters are making progress, the threat to the fire-weary region remains with Santa Ana winds expected to continue in the coming days.

In recent days, however, the region’s powerful Santa Ana winds—which have been fanning the flames—have begun to slow down. This lull has offered firefighters a reprieve and a key opportunity to make progress against the blazes, but forecasts suggest the Santa Ana will return next week. What are these gusts, and how have they become so strong?

At least 25 people have been killed and more than 40,000 acres burned as the wildfires race through southern California for a ninth day

So far, the strongest winds recorded during the fires were around 100 miles per hour, which is considered hurricane-force strength. The strong Santa Ana winds are still expected to remain throughout the week, which is not ideal for the ongoing fight to contain the fires.

Orange County businesses and organizations have stepped up in big ways to support first responders and evacuees impacted by the devastating Los Angeles area fires, which have destroyed more than 12,300 homes and buildings.