With over 4 million acres burned so far as a result of five of the six largest fires ever occurring on record happening this year, 2020 has been one of the worst wildfire seasons on record, destroying over 9,000 structures and killing at least 31 people.

Over 100,000 are under evacuation orders in Orange County, Calif., while two firefighters are in the hospital with critical burn injuries. Experts are warning that thigh winds, with gusts reaching 90mph, are pushing the fire through the grassy terrain and towards urban areas, prompting state utility PG&E to preemptively shut off power to prevent sparking new fires.

These intense, dry Santa Ana winds are creating prime conditions for fire to spread quickly, and are the result of the same (climate-change related) jet stream meandering that’s brought Arctic conditions to the middle of the country, offering much-needed relief to Colorado’s wildfires.