Firefighters prepare for extreme fire danger as Santa Ana winds blow through Southern California

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. (KABC) -- Local fire departments are preparing for extreme fire danger as strong Santa Ana winds are expected to blow through Southern California Thursday.

The National Weather Service reported there would be moderate to strong Santa Ana winds creating critical fire weather conditions.

Malibu is expecting gusts of up to 30 mph that could reach 70 mph in the canyons and passes, L.A. County fire said. Those conditions are expected through Friday and possibly into Saturday.

"Just because we had significant burn last year doesn't mean there isn't a tremendous amount of vegetation. We've had a lot of regrowth due to the rains," Capt. Tony Imbrenda of L.A. County Fire said.

A strike team is assigned to the Los Angeles County Fire Station in Agoura Hills in case they are needed.

The team consists of five engines, with four firefighters per engine and a battalion chief. They will be spread out in the Malibu canyons in addition to the 10 fire stations in and around the Malibu area.

Some areas could have their power turned off by Southern California Edison to reduce the risk of power lines falling and sparking a blaze.

Nearly 174,000 customers are in areas that are under consideration to have their power cut.