The threat of powerful wind gusts, combined with bone-dry humidity, in Los Angeles on Wednesday could test firefighters who have been battling to keep monstrous fires in Los Angeles in check since last week.

A "perfect storm" of drought and Santa Ana winds have combined, experts say, to make the wildfires so fierce and difficult to contain.

Containing wildfires—never mind extinguishing them—in parched and windy conditions can be monstrously difficult. Dry vegetation is rocket fuel for blazes and wind both feeds the flames and spreads the embers. “The winds are like pointing an air blower at a fireplace,” says Gershunov, “except it’s not contained and it’s on a much larger scale.”

Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters arrived at the Los Angeles area on Monday ahead of fierce winds that were forecast

Strong winds over the next day will create dangerous conditions as several major wildfires continue to burn in the Los Angeles area. About 88,000 people remained under evacuation orders Tuesday morning because of the fires. But another 84,800 have been warned that they might be ordered to evacuate.

Firefighters expect a difficult and treacherous day amid dangerous winds as Red Flag weather warning is in place with winds of up to 70mph forecast.   22:05 A new virtual map by Los Angeles county helps wildfire survivors check the status of their property and see whether their house is still standing.