La Mirada~Powerful Santa Ana winds are expected to begin blowing Wednesday night across La Mirada and all of Southern California, heightening the risk of wildfires, forecasters said.

Wind gusts from 30 mph to 50 mph are expected expected across a wide swath of the region, including the valleys and along the Grapevine, according to the National Weather Service. The dry northeast winds, along with the low humidity, are expected to last until Friday evening.

"The state will be set for potentially bringing the strongest and most widespread Santa Ana wind event so far this season," the agency said in a statement Tuesday. "Dry fuels will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions."

The agency issued fire weather watches, which signal elevated brush-fire danger, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego counties