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,

Fierce winds fueled new fires and made it harder to contain the largest blazes, which have destroyed whole neighborhoods and have become some of the most devastating in California’s history.