Twenty-seven people have died across the Los Angeles area. Officials have said the true death toll isn’t known as the fires continue to burn.

Strong Santa Ana winds have fueled multiple wildfires across Southern California, forcing thousands of residents to flee from their homes.

In a state that averages more than 7,500 wildfires a year some California homeowners keep helmets and fire hoses handy. However, the Los Angeles fires demonstrate a new reality: Wildfires in the state are growing larger and more ferocious and burning into suburbs and cities more often, experts told USA TODAY.

Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, a series of ferocious wildfires erupted the second week of January and roared across the Los Angeles area.