PACIFIC PALISADES - The deadly Palisades Fire was 61% contained Tuesday ahead of another dangerous Santa Ana wind event that could bring isolated gusts as high as 100 mph. Forecasters took the rare step of issuing a "particularly dangerous situation warning" for a large portion of Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to damaging Santa Ana winds and very low humidity.

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.

Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) Monday, 10:30 a.m. PSTCal Fire data marked the Palisades Fire at 94 ... which broke out Wednesday north of Santa Clarita, has burned about 10,425 acres ...

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. As more than 400 firefighters responded to the scene, an air tanker and four helicopters attacked the blaze from the air, preventing it from jumping Interstate 5, officials said.

Coverage of the Hughes, Sepulveda and Laguna fires in Southern California during a fourth consecutive day of red flag fire weather warnings.

The Hughes fire, burning near Castaic Lake north of Santa Clarita, exploded to more than 10,000 acres of mostly brush in just a few hours. More than 50,000 people were under evacuation orders and warnings.

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

Residents and first responders were on high alert for possible land movement in recent burn scar areas as a winter storm moves in.

Gusts of up to 70 mph are possible along the coast and valleys, and in the mountains, up to 100 mph, the National Weather Service said. Parts of L.A. County, and most of Ventura County, are at highest risk.

UPDATE 5:30 p.m.: 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 ...

The Hughes Fire burned some 10,176 acres but that figure held steady throughout the day as 4,000 firefighters dropped water and retardant from the air and used hand tools and hoses on the ground.

Much-needed rain has begun to fall over Southern California, bringing relief to the drought-stricken region but also the threat of toxic runoff.