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.

Santa Ana winds are expected to slightly decrease before ramping up again Wednesday evening in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Dry Santa Ana winds are expected to peak early Tuesday morning in the Santa Clarita Valley, bringing dangerous fire conditions to the area.

Firefighters in Southern California are once again battling a wildfire, this time in Castaic in Los Angeles County, north of Los Angeles itself. Evacuation orders have been issued for the surrounding areas.

As Santa Ana winds returned to Southern California, residents and first responders braced for another day of critical fire weather.

Blaze consumes 14 hectares per minute driven by wind gusts, threatening several residential areas of Santa Clarita

Photos taken of the Hughes Fire around Castaic Lake, California captured the massive blaze and cloud of smoke visible from Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 8,096 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.

As smoke, dust and harmful ash continue to hit areas throughout Los Angeles County amidst several wildfires, burn scars and wind, two air quality advisories have been issued. Smoke from the Hughes fire,

With the Palisades and Eaton fires still not fully contained, a new Southern California blaze sparked up Wednesday north of Santa Clarita, burning more than 9,400 acres in a matter of hours, forcing evacuations by the thousands and shutting down sections of the 5 freeway.

Thousands of firefighters have been battling wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. The two largest fires, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, remain active. One of the latest, the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area, has prompted evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people.