As winds across the Southern California area are calmer than their peak and firefighters are making progress, the threat to the fire-weary region remains with Santa Ana winds expected to continue in the coming days.

Critical fire weather is expected to continue until Wednesday at the earliest, increasing the risk that fires will spread further.

Fire crews braced for a second round of strong Santa Ana winds this week. So far, eight deaths have been confirmed from the Palisades Fire.

As Santa Ana winds returned to Southern California, residents and first responders braced for another day of critical fire weather.

The Palisades fire — which has invaded Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Topanga and Mandeville canyons — was 65% contained as of Tuesday evening. Firefighters inched further on the Eaton fire — which has caused destruction in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre — achieving 89% containment, according to Cal Fire.

Extreme fire conditions remain in the Southern California region as the next set of high winds have prompted ... the San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Ventura County valleys ...

The combined dry climate and flammable flora have created fires and firestorms before. In October 1978, the Agoura-Malibu and Mulholland Canyon fires burned more than 500 homes and killed three people. The Agoura-Malibu fire grew into a firestorm, a fire so intense it creates its own wind system.

Gusts of up to 70 mph are possible along the coast and valleys, and in the mountains, up to 100 mph, the National Weather Service said. Parts of L.A. County, and most of Ventura County, are at highest risk.

A rare Particularly Dangerous Situation warning has been issued for Southern California as a powerful and potentially damaging Santa Ana wind event​ is expected.

The Santa Ana winds are forecast to batter Southern California again, fuelling dangerous fire conditions over the next few days.

The Sepulveda fire was the latest blaze in a nerve-racking week as Southern California headed into a fourth consecutive day of red flag fire weather warnings.