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.

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

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

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.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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 deadly wildfires though even a small amount of precipitation could could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff.

Southern California was forecast to face more dangerous winds on Wednesday, but could get some badly needed rain this weekend, which could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff.

With parts of Los Angeles County still smoldering from wildfires, the expected rain this weekend would seem like a welcome relief. But how the rain falls could make the difference between a disaster respite or a disaster repeat.

At least eight fires are still burning along the horizon in southern California. Firefighters are making progress on the Hughes fire which is the latest to force thousands to leave their homes.