As wildfires rage near Los Angeles, claiming lives and homes, residents cling to hope for a wind shift. With damages projected to reach up to $275 billion, the devastation is immense, but a change in weather may offer a glimmer of relief amidst the chaos.

LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley said the department has staffed all available resources and fire patrols and engines are being strategically placed in the high-fire risk areas of the city.

Red flag criteria is generally when relative humidity is at 15% or less, combined with sustained winds and/or gusts of 25 mph or greater. Both of these conditions must occur simultaneously for at least 3 hours in a 12 hour period, according to the NWS.

As firefighters struggle to gain control of massive and deadly wildfires that are raging across parts of the Los Angeles area, the region is once again bracing for the potential of new fires and for current ones to intensify as a new storm system heads for the state.

The windy, flame-fanning weather that put the nation's second most-populous metropolitan region on edge eased up Wednesday as firefighters made significant gains against the two massive wildfires burning around Los Angeles.