The wind-driven Sandy Fire was reported Monday in the hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
New York City and the Tri-State area can expect heavy rain and strong wind during storms on Sunday night into Monday.
A brush fire erupted amid powerful winds Wednesday afternoon in the Castaic area in the northern region of Los Angeles County, spreading quickly to 10,176 acres near the freeway, officials said.
Hydroclimate whiplash -- the rapid shift between wet and dry conditions -- likely contributed to the severity of the wildfires in Southern California, experts say.
Epic events like the Southern California wildfires do not have a singular cause.
Severe fire weather conditions -- high winds with low humidity -- will continue through Wednesday, keeping the fire threat in all of Los Angeles County critical, LA Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned.