Southern California is gearing up for another round of Santa Ana winds this week, just as firefighters made headway over the weekend battling deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County. The brief calm is over, and the region is now bracing for strong winds that could spark new blazes and worsen existing ones. Starting Monday, red flag warnings are in place for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including areas like Malibu. These warnings signal high fire risk due to low humidity and gusty winds. Experts say the dry conditions, with humidity levels dropping to as low as 2% in some spots, could make any new fires spread rapidly. The National Weather Service predicts the winds will peak Monday afternoon and evening, with gusts reaching up to 80 mph in mountainous areas. Coastal and valley regions aren’t spared either, with winds expected to hit 40 mph and gusts up to 70 mph. The worst-hit areas, like the San Gabriel Mountains, could see isolated gusts of 100 mph. Adding to the trouble, Southern California is in the grip of a severe drought. Since October, downtown Los Angeles has seen just 0.16 inches of rain, and LAX has recorded a mere 0.03 inches. The lack of rain has left the landscape bone-dry, with 90% of Los Angeles County now classified as being in severe drought. Governor Gavin Newsom has mobilized over 130 fire engines, water tenders, and aircraft to help combat the crisis. Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire, which has burned over 23,000 acres, is 56% contained, and the Eaton Fire is 81% contained. Tragically, the wildfires have claimed 27 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, with 41,000 people still under evacuation orders. Residents in some areas, like Altadena, have been allowed to return home, but many others face a longer wait. Officials are urging caution, with Pasadena implementing parking restrictions to ensure fire crews can access narrow roads quickly. The Los Angeles Fire Department is also under scrutiny for its preparedness. A memo from two years ago warned about the lack of a regularly staffed wildland hand crew, a critical resource for containing fires. Currently, the city relies on a volunteer, part-time crew, mostly teenagers, to tackle wildfires. As the region faces another tough week, officials are urging residents to stay alert and prepared. “We don’t want to scare people, we just want them prepared,” said Lisa Derderian, a city spokesperson. With no rain in sight and winds picking up, Southern California’s wildfire season is far from over.