Powerful Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching hurricane strength, swept down the mountains outside Los Angeles and spread wildfires into several neighborhoods starting Jan.

With winds roaring as high as 80 miles an hour in places such as Palomar Mountain, SDG&E earlier this week initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs that de-energize circuits in areas to help ensure that gusts don’t knock down power lines and possibly start a fire when they hit the ground.

Multiple wildfires are currently raging through Los Angeles County, forcing evacuations and destroying neighborhoods. A long dry summer created ample fuel that has combined with a lack of rainfall over the winter to extend fire season conditions.