Dangerous conditions are expected to persist through Friday before flame-fanning winds subside slightly, potentially giving crews a foothold against infernos that have killed at least 10 people.

A fast-moving series of fires beginning Jan. 7 has devastated areas of Southern California, causing thousands of residents to have to flee their homes — including many stars, such as Mel Gibson, Milo Ventimiglia,

A pause in the fierce winds that super-charged the ring of wildfires that devastated Los Angeles this week helped crews make progress in bringing the infernos under control on Friday but strong gusts could return over the weekend,