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

Southern California is expected to be slammed with up to hurricane-strength gusts that could spark a growth in various wildfires through Tuesday morning, officials said.

After a much quieter weekend, Southern California is experiencing a major shift in the weather pattern. The winds will peak Monday evening and overnight but extend into Tuesday morning.

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

The winds will come and go, with the strongest gusts expected early next week, especially next Monday night and into Tuesday, forecasters said.

The winds fueling Southern California wildfires form when a high-pressure system develops over the Great Basin in Utah and Nevada

A storm is brewing and will deliver much-needed soaking rain to wildfire-ravaged Southern California, snow to the mountainsand rain and snow to many areas in the southwestern United States, AccuWeather meteorologists say.

Santa Ana winds continue to blow through Los Angeles area Thursday, enabling wildfires and challenging firefighting efforts.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed fire engines, water-dropping aircraft and hand crews across the region—to enable a rapid response if a new fire does break out, according to The Associated Press.

A fast-spreading wildfire that erupted this week northwest of Los Angeles roared from nothing to nearly 10,000 acres − in a matter of hours.