The prevailing winds are most likely blowing from the west towards the east. This is because the western slope of the mountain range, where the forest is present, receives more rainfall and moisture due to the prevailing winds carrying moisture from the west. As the winds move over the mountains and descend down the eastern slope, they become drier, leading to the formation of a desert on the eastern slope. Therefore, the direction of the prevailing winds is from west to east in this case.