The fires come as San Diego County mountains and valleys, along with other parts of Southern California, remain under a red flag warning.

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.

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.

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.

The NWS San Diego CA issued a high wind watch at 2:41 a.m. on Wednesday valid for Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The watch is for San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire, San Diego County Inland Valleys,

Evacuations were ordered Tuesday when the Friars Fire broke out near a San Diego mall and flames ran up a hillside toward residences, Cal Fire said

Parched Southern California could get some badly needed rain this weekend to dampen the prospects of another round of killer wildfires.

Rainfall is expected to reach Los Angeles and Southern California this weekend, bringing the risk of mudslides and fire debris flow.

Investigators are looking for two men accused of stealing equipment from a fire engine in Southern California amid more brutal wildfires.

Two new wildfires broke out in San Diego County early Tuesday, prompting evacuations as dangerous fire weather conditions continue to grip the region.

At least 27 people have died in the Eaton and Palisades fires, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Thursday evening. Seventeen of the deaths are from the Eaton Fire in Altadena and 10 from the Palisades Fire, according to the medical examiner.