The situation prompted the Los Angeles Fire Department to take the rare step of putting out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help. It was too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight.

As the South prepped for snow and more cold starting Wednesday, residents in Southern California faced off with hurricane-strength winds.

Parts of Santa Monica were ordered to be evacuated as fast-moving flames destroyed homes along the coast in Los Angeles. Winds were picking up overnight, potentially fueling the fires.

As forecasters warn of "life threatening, destructive" winds across Southern California, a large brush fire is burning in the community of Pacific Palisades.

A life-threatening, widespread windstorm that could be one of the most destructive to hit Southern California in over a decade will roar to life Tuesday and also create extremely dangerous fire weather conditions.

A life-threatening, destructive and widespread Santa Ana wind event is forecast for Southern California Tuesday into Wednesday. Fire danger is very high as well. Here’s what you can expect.

Wildfires began breaking out in Southern California Tuesday morning as a life-threatening, widespread windstorm that could be one of the most destructive to hit<a class="excerpt-read-more" href=" More