"The fire is growing with a moderate rate of spread and structures are threatened," Cal Fire said as it issued evacuation orders.

A wind-driven wildfire charred dozens of acres in a sparsely developed area south of Pala Mesa on Tuesday, damaging structures and forcing pre-dawn evacuations before crews could gain the upper hand on the flames.

Two new fires ignited in San Diego County on Tuesday, as firefighters continue fighting blazes further north in Los Angeles.

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

The Lilac fire was reported around 12:45 a.m. and by 5 a.m. had charred 80+ acres west of I-15 south of SR-76. Forward progress stopped around 10 a.m. It was one of three fires in North County

A rare Particularly Dangerous Situation warning has been issued for Southern California as a powerful and potentially damaging Santa Ana wind event​ is expected.

As firefighters descended on the Lilac Fire in Bonsall early Tuesday, several crews helping battle the blaze were from outside San Diego County and even California, with many hailing from more than 1,

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

Continued strong winds and dry conditions on Wednesday morning rapidly spread a fire near Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County and has burned through 8,096 acres.

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.

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.