Tens of thousands of people evacuated in southern California as winds whip blazes. Plus, the rise in ‘flaking’ out of social plans

Good morning.

California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighters in its attempts to quell the “unprecedented” wildfires that have ripped through the state’s south, said the California governor, Gavin Newsom. The fires, which have been fueled by a windstorm, have forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes, including in affluent neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

What are the Santa Ana winds? They’re common during the winter months in southern California, and have driven many of the state’s worst fires. They cause a drop in humidity, driving up fire risk, particularly as many areas already face drought.