The Eaton Fire destroyed homes in Altadena Calif., a town northeast of Pasadena. The image was captured Jan. 8 by Maxar Technologies' shortwave infrared sensor. This sensor has the ability to see through the dense smoke of an active fire to the ground beneath, as well as locating the flame front and hot spots in the fire, according to Maxar.

The devastating fires that have killed at least five people and forced the evacuations of tens of thousands of residents across the Los Angeles region are driven by Santa Ana winds that blow from the deserts of interior California and Nevada out to the Pacific Ocean.

Santa Ana winds in Southern California are often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire.