Santa Ana winds are whipping Southern California on Tuesday, sparking fresh fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 27 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out.

The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA issued a wind advisory at 12:54 a.m. on Wednesday valid for Wednesday between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. The advisory is for Southern Ventura County Mountains, Interstate 5 Corridor and Eastern San Gabriel Mountains.

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.

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.

A high wind warning was issued by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA on Wednesday at 12:54 a.m. valid from 10 p.m. until Thursday 2 p.m. The warning is for Southern Ventura County Mountains, Interstate 5 Corridor and Eastern San Gabriel Mountains.

With more critical fire weather this week in Los Angeles, the National Weather Service once again issued one of its strongest warnings possible.

Kelly Curran breaks down the fire weather forecast for Southern California on Jan. 20 at 6 a.m.

On Monday at 9:57 a.m. a red flag warning was issued by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA in effect until Tuesday at 10 p.m. The warning is for Ventura County Beaches, Ventura County Inland Coast, Central Ventura County Valleys,