The National Weather Service issued its highest fire weather alert level for portions of the Los Angeles area for Monday into Tuesday morning, as powerful Santa Ana winds return. Threat level: The "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning indicates any fires that ignite could quickly grow out of control.

Southern California will continue to face "dangerous fire weather conditions" including strong Santa Ana winds and extremely low humidity through later this week, forecasters said Tuesday.

The stiff Santa Ana winds that stoked a short-lived but dangerous wildfire Monday in Poway were expected to be flat-out wicked before dawn Tuesday in San Diego’s backcountry, where something as minor as the heat from a car muffler could spark a major blaze,