I remember those "Santa Ana Winds" when I lived there 1966-1989 in Orange County. They were the driest winds I've experienced. My Mom lived and had her horses out in Hemet and Temecula, CA. and those winds blew right thru and there always were some fires in the distance. Had her Dodge Ram 4x4 and her two horse trailer "at the ready" during the fire season.
I know it's worse nowadays, but it seemed like there were the super dry (drought) years and then it became wet (rainy) for a few years. Alternating back & forth. Droughts or floods...