Southern California is experiencing its most devastating winter fires in more than four decades. Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, fierce wildfires around the Los Angeles area have sent residents fleeing from their burning homes. Santa Anas are warm, dry northeast winds that blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast, moving in the opposite direction of the normal winds that carry moist air from the Pacific. Thousands of firefighters have been battling multiple blazes, from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena, just north of Los Angeles, with new fires breaking out in the Hollywood Hills on the evening of January 8. One of the fires is already the most destructive in Los Angeles history. By early morning on January 9, more than 1,900 structures had been destroyed and over 130,000 people were under evacuation orders, with five people reported dead. The fires have already consumed an area of about 110 square kilometers — nearly the size of the entire city of San Francisco. Fires don't usually blaze at this time of year. But Santa Anas are happening later and later in the year, and this year's winds are much faster than usual — helping the flames spread faster once they ignite. California had two extremely wet winters that caused lots of plants to grow, followed by a sudden drought that dried them out — which experts say has provided the perfect tinder for the flames. AccuWeather estimated damage from the latest fires could reach $57 billion, with the weather company's Jonathan Porter saying "it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history." Among those who have lost their homes are a number of celebrities, including actor Billy Crystal, who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that he had lived in for 45 years. Another celebrity who lost his home, The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, wrote on Instagram: "Sadly we did lose our home but we are grateful to have survived this truly devastating fire."