As critical fire weather continues to strike in Southern California, crews are also tasked with preparing for a storm expected this weekend that could trigger mudslides in burn scar areas.

The fire threat remains critical in Southern California, where thousands of residents were under evacuation orders Wednesday as fire crews battled the out-of-control Hughes Fire near Castaic, a suburb in the foothills and mountains of northern Los Angeles County.

Southern California’s notorious winds have swept through Santa Clarita, leaving a trail of fallen trees, power outages, and concern among residents. On Tuesday night, a city tree toppled onto a house on the 23100 block of Cerca Drive in Saugus.

The Hughes Fire has now burned 8,096 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties since igniting late Wednesday morning near Castaic Lake, according to Cal Fire. As more than 400 firefighters responded to the scene, an air tanker and four helicopters attacked the blaze from the air, preventing it from jumping Interstate 5, officials said.

Southern California will continue to face "dangerous fire weather conditions" including strong Santa Ana winds and extremely low humidity through later this week, forecasters said Tuesday.

The Hughes fire seen from Magic Mountain has started north of Castaic and has exploded to more than 5,000 acres in under two hours on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Castaic, California. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS) (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Los Angeles City and County officials provided an update on current wildfire conditions as well as what to expect ahead of an incoming storm.

The Hughes fire broke out near the Lake Castaic area of northern Los Angeles County, two weeks after blazes that claimed at least 28 lives and devastated the city broke out.

On Monday at 10:46 a.m. the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA issued a high wind warning. The warning is for Santa Clarita Valley, Ventura County Beaches, Ventura County Inland Coast, Central Ventura County Valleys,

Southern California braces for a ferocious return of fire danger as the National Weather Service issues its most urgent warning for extreme fire weather.

Forecasters in Southern California expect to issue a 'particularly dangerous situation' red flag warning for the coming week as the Santa Ana wind forecast worsens.

As another round of wild Santa Ana winds threatens Southern California this week ... he pointed to areas along the 101 Freeway and in Santa Clarita, where the Santa Ana winds traditionally ...