California is at extreme wildfire risk due to strong winds and low humidity | California

California was hit by strong winds on Wednesday, causing a drop in humidity and increasing the risk of wildfires across much of the state.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has changed its warning of increased fire danger with the rare “particularly hazardous situation” designation.

With forecast gusts between 50 and 100 miles per hour (80 and 161 km/h) and humidity as low as 8%, conditions that could lead to “extreme and life-threatening” fires could prevail in parts of Southern California through Thursday, the weather service said.

Officials in several counties urged residents — particularly in coastal, valley and mountain areas — to watch for fast-spreading fires, power outages and downed trees amid the latest round of notorious Santa Ana winds.

Forecasters also have issued red flag warnings through Thursday from California's central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area to northern counties.

According to the weather service in San Francisco, sustained winds of 30 miles per hour are expected in many areas, and mountain peaks could experience gusts of over 55 miles per hour.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company said it preemptively shut off power to a small number of customers starting late Tuesday in areas where strong gusts could damage electrical equipment and cause fires.

Targeted power shutdowns were also possible in Southern California.