Critical fire conditions are expected to continue through Friday. But rain could be on the way this weekend. Here's what to know.

The Santa Anas are expected to be most powerful Monday night into Tuesday. Fire services across the region say they are ready.

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

After a weekend of reprieve allowing fire teams to continue making progress battling the deadly infernos burning in Los Angeles County, Southern California now faces another round of fire-fueling Santa Ana Winds Monday.

The Hughes Fire near Castaic, California, has burned over 5,000 acres, prompting evacuations and school closures.

The Santa Ana winds are dry, powerful winds that blow down the mountains toward the Southern California coast. The region sees about 10 Santa Ana wind events a year on average, typically occurring from fall into January. When conditions are dry, as they are right now, these winds can become a severe fire hazard.

Santa Ana winds finally delivered a big, direct hit on San Diego County Tuesday, gusting as high as 102 mph in the backcountry where a touch of long-overdue rain could arrive this weekend.

Los Angeles’ wildfires are still burning two weeks after they sparked — and the City of Angels could be in for deeper trouble as the hurricane-force winds that first fanned the flames return to the region.

Much of inland San Diego County was whipped yet again by a strong Santa Ana wind event Monday into Tuesday, contributing to risky fire conditions as the region remains bone-dry.

As wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles, three fires broke out in San Diego County, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.

Parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties all will be under a red flag warning beginning on Monday morning, the NWS said. The strongest Santa Anas are expected Tuesday morning.

As Southern California shifts into recovery mode after the devastating wildfires, residents should stay on alert on Monday and Tuesday with high winds returning. The National Weather Service has