Powerful Santa Ana winds near Los Angeles are fueling some of the most significant wildfire threats in years across Southern California.

A wind-whipped wildfire tore through parched brush in the coastal city of Malibu near Pepperdine University on Wednesday morning, closing a section of the Pacific Coast Highway, officials said. The Broad Fire ignited southwest of the Pacific Coast Highway and South Malibu Canyon Road,

Wind gusts topping 70 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains are providing a taste of the conditions that are expected to continue into Thursday.

At least two buildings have been damaged in a Malibu brush fire that is the product of dangerous Santa Ana winds, scorching around 50 acres before being contained by fire fighters.

Much of Southern California is facing weather carrying wildfire risks, threatening a "particularly dangerous situation" due to especially dry conditions and strong winds that can spark and quickly spread wildfires,

Down south, in spots such as Santa Ana, Irvine and Fontana and the majority of the Inland Empire, expect winds of up to 60 miles per hour. Orange County can expect temperatures to remain level in the mid to high 70s, with the Inland Empire seeing a decrease to the mid to high 60s.

A very strong, widespread and long-duration Santa Ana wind event will bring extreme fire weather conditions to many areas of Southern California, but particularly Los Angeles and Ventura counties into Thursday.

Fire danger is expected to increase in the region due to another round of Santa Ana winds on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.