Santa Ana winds are forecasted for Southern California on Wednesday, Dec. 3, expected to bring strong gusts and possible downed trees. But what about fires?

Both the National Weather Service Los Angeles and San Diego offices, which cover significant portions of the region stretching from San Luis Obispo, much of the Inland Empire and south to San Diego County, said that a Santa Ana wind event is expected Wednesday and Thursday — the Santa Ana wind season begins in the fall and winter months, according to AccuWeather , and notably fueled the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires back in January.

But the significant rains Southern Californians experienced in recent weeks has “really mitigated” the fire risk, said Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the NWS Los Angeles. The moisture co

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