Tens of thousands fled their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades quickly spread to nearly 3,000 acres Tuesday, a blaze that authorities said could grow further as even stronger winds are expected through the night.

At least 30,000 residents in Southern California were forced to evacuate due to multiple devastating wildfires that have destroyed thousands of acres in the area. The first fire reportedly started in the Pacific Palisades community in Los Angeles,

The upcoming winds will act as an “atmospheric blow-dryer” for vegetation, bringing a long period of fire risk that could extend into the more populated lower hills and valleys, according to Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with the University of California, Los Angeles and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.