Forecasters warned that a significant Santa Ana wind event this week could help wildfires spread quickly and erratically. Utility companies said they may pre-emptively cut off power to some customers.

Dire warnings have been issued for the Los Angeles area after forecasters say there is the potential for the strongest wind event in more than a decade. A "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Fire Weather Warning is also posted as winds could peak near 100 mph.

As a major winter storm batters the Midwest and East Coast, the National Weather Service is warning a destructive windstorm could hit Southern California.