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 the region in over a decade roars to life and creates extremely dangerous fire weather conditions.

Strong winds — with gusts as high as 79 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains — began blowing their way through Southern California on Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, leading to the possibility of downed trees and wires, power outages and dangerous fire weather.

As a destructive and life-threatening windstorm continues battering Southern California Tuesday, fire officials warned the danger will continue overnight as peak winds are forecasted to arrive. Increased wind danger will begin at 10 p.