As fierce wildfires continue to wreak havoc in the Los Angeles area, shocked residents are left asking: Is there any relief on the way?

According to experts speaking to YSL News, the long-term containment of these fires will rely on a combination of the hard work of firefighters and the assistance of nature itself.

However, the immediate outlook does not appear promising. “The Santa Ana winds are expected to persist until Wednesday morning with moderate to strong gusts combined with low humidity,” said Toddi Steelman, a wildfire expert at Duke University, in an interview with YSL News on Monday. “These conditions are challenging for firefighters and will complicate fire management.”

The National Weather Service has issued a “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning due to the anticipated high winds continuing through Wednesday.

Despite this, there is a glimmer of hope for calmer winds later in the week, indicated AccuWeather senior meteorologist Heather Zehr during her conversation with YSL News.

Steelman echoed this optimism, mentioning that Friday appears to be the day when the weather may shift to lower winds and increased humidity, which “will provide firefighters with better chances for advancement.”

Is there any rain forecasted?

Michael Wara from Stanford University mentioned on Monday that the conclusion of the fire season will depend on precipitation: “Mother Nature ultimately determines when the fire season concludes in California and elsewhere.”

Certainly, a significant change in weather patterns could greatly assist in combating the fires. This would involve widespread rainfall, but the forecast predicts little in that regard. Indeed, for the next two weeks, Southern California is expected to experience drier conditions than usual, as per a Monday forecast from the Climate Prediction Center.

Zehr noted that some light showers might occur next week, but significant rainfall is unlikely. Additionally, the city of Los Angeles recently warned that heavy rain could lead to mudslides in areas affected by the fires.

Is there still a concept of a fire season in California?

“We no longer have a distinct fire season; we are in a perpetual fire year,” Steelman stated. “This presents difficulties for communities and residents since they must stay alert. Meanwhile, firefighters have little downtime as they work year-round.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed this notion last week, stating: “November, December, now January — there’s no fire season, it’s a fire year. It’s continuous.”

Are Santa Ana winds typical for this time of year?

“Santa Ana winds are common during this season, but the ongoing drought and aridity are not. This is another indication that our climate is shifting,” Steelman mentioned. “Drought is a signal of climate change.”

Furthermore, she explained that Santa Ana winds reaching speeds of 80-100 mph are “not typical. Such ferocious winds make firefighting extremely challenging. Aerial operations and water drops become less effective under such conditions, and embers can jump over fire lines, creating perilous situations for firefighters and pilots.”

In California, although Santa Ana winds and dryness are sometimes expected, climate change is causing fire seasons to start earlier and end later, as reported by CalFire. Longer and harsher dry periods render forests more vulnerable to severe wildfires.

How unusual is it for wildfires to occur in January?

“It is very uncommon to see fires like this in January, which can be attributed to the exceptionally dry winter Southern California is experiencing following an equally dry summer, exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds,” Steelman explained.

Could California experience similar fires again soon?

“Yes, it could happen,” responded Wara, the senior director for policy at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. He advocated that building fire-resilient communities is vital to prevent future occurrences like those of the past week.

Steelman added, “It all hinges on human action and Mother Nature — will the drought subside? Will the winds calm down? And will individuals take steps to avoid creating fire-starting conditions? For the sake of all Californians currently suffering, I sincerely hope the answers to those questions are affirmative.”