Southern California is bracing for a powerful Santa Ana wind event with extreme fire danger as containment efforts continue on the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Los Angeles County’s latest major wildfires tear over more than 10,000 acres as strong Santa Ana winds fan the flames

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. More than 24,00 people have been ordered to evacuate due to the Hughes Fire. Another 30,000 people are in evacuation warning zones.

A new fire broke out near Los Angeles’ Bel Air neighborhood early on Thursday as the Hughes fire which was first reported a day earlier in northern Los Angeles County grew rapidly to set ablaze more than 10,000 acres, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders and warnings to more than 50,000 people.

Wednesday, 12:25 p.m. PST The Hughes Fire grew to 3,407 acres, according to Cal Fire, with evacuation orders extending to the community of Castaic and evacuation warnings stretching to the northernmost parts of Santa Clarita, which had an estimated population of 224,028 in 2023.

Projected rainfall in Southern California could bring much-needed relief to crews battling deadly wildfires and also fears for potential mudslides.

Dozens of people are believed to have died in the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have burned down whole swaths of communities

Thousands of sandbags are being loaded in anticipation of an upcoming storm that could lead to mudslides in Southern California’s recent burn zones. Cal Fire and California Conservation

After devastating fires and winds, there's concern rain could trigger mudslides in the Eaton Fire zone. Burned hillsides surround communities in Altadena and Pasadena following the Eaton Fire. With rain on the way, the communities will be tested once again.

The Palisades fire — which has invaded Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Topanga and Mandeville canyons — was 65% contained as of Tuesday evening. Firefighters inched further on the Eaton fire — which has caused destruction in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre — achieving 89% containment, according to Cal Fire.

Fierce winds and wildfires have shifted land in the burn areas of the Eaton and Palisades fires, raising the risk of mudslides and debris flows.