Red flag warnings are in effect until Thursday for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego because of low humidity and relentless Santa Ana winds.

Residents of San Diego County are facing evacuation orders Tuesday as the Lilac Fire and Pala Fire have broken out in the region, officials say.

Several counties in Southern California faced "critical" fire risks this week, according to an AccuWeather forecast.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Parched Southern California was forecast to face more dangerous winds on Wednesday but could get some badly needed rain this weekend, dampening the prospects of another round of deadly wildfires though even a small amount of precipitation could could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff.

Santa Ana winds are whipping Southern California on Tuesday, sparking fresh fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 27 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out.

San Diego County remains under the grip of another round of moderate to strong Santa Ana winds, paired with extremely dry air, elevating critical fire weather concerns.

A high wind warning was issued by the NWS San Diego CA on Wednesday at 12:04 p.m. valid for Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The warning is for San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire,

At least 28 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple wildfires rage across Southern California.

At just after 1 p.m., officials said the inferno was at 5,054 acres. Residents nearby were ordered to evacuate or warned to be ready to leave quickly. The Hughes fire had "a rapid rate of spread and spotting,

Evacuations were ordered as the Hughes Fire rapidly expanded near Los Angeles, threatening foothill communities and prompting school evacuations.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 5,054 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.