A severe and potentially catastrophic windstorm is sweeping across a vast region of Southern California, dramatically elevating the risk of wildfires over the next several days.

Multiple fires have already ignited, including one in the Pacific Palisades foothills, another near Altadena that has triggered mandatory evacuations, and the Hurst Fire in Sylmar. 

The National Weather Service predicts that wind gusts could peak at 80 mph, with isolated areas in mountainous and foothill regions experiencing gusts exceeding 100 mph during the early hours of Wednesday. 

As a result, red flag warnings remain in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for several areas, including the Malibu coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, Santa Clarita Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, and key freeway corridors such as the 5 and 14."

The fires have led to the closure of a major roadway and blanketed the area in thick columns of smoke. Over 80 hectares have already been scorched in Pacific Palisades.