Los Angeles braces for the return of higher winds as wildfires continue to spread

Firefighters fight the flames from the Palisades Fire during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025.

Apu Gomes/Getty Images

• Wildfires are ravaging the Los Angeles area, spreading rapidly due to dry and windy conditions.
• The fires have burned through over 40,000 acres. Officials report that at least 16 people have died.
• Analysts estimate damages caused by the fires may top $50 billion — breaking previous state records.

Across Los Angeles, a series of wildfires...