Dry conditions across Southern California set the stage for a series of deadly wind-driven wildfires that burned thousands of homes and other structures in the Los Angeles area in early January 2025.

While the cause of each blaze has yet to be determined, all burned in or near foothill communities amid gusty winds and dry air and vegetation.

On Friday at 2:11 p.m. an air quality alert was issued valid until Saturday at 5 p.m. The alert is for Calabasas and Agoura Hills, Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, Eastern San Fernando Valley, Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area,

With fires still raging around Los Angeles and high winds expected to last through Friday, it's not clear when air quality in the region will improve, local experts said Thursday. The time it will take for smoke from wildfires burning around Los Angeles to dissipate is a moving target.

Millions woke up to hazy skies and poor air quality Wednesday morning as crews continued to fight the Palisades Fire in western Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and the Hurst/Sylmar Fire near Santa Clarita.