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,

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.

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.

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 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 killer wildfires though even a small amount of precipitation could could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff.

Winds have picked up and are expected to continue through Tuesday morning, raising the risk of new wildfires sparking

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

How dry is it in Southern California? See the drought levels and recent rainfall totals for several counties in the region.

As winds across the Southern California area are calmer than their peak and firefighters are making progress, the threat to the fire-weary region remains with Santa Ana winds expected to continue in the coming days.

Santa Ana winds will continue whipping through Southern California through Thursday, sparking fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 28 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out.

Rain coming to Southern California could help with the firefight, but forecasters say it probably will not end what has been a devastating fire season.