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.

After a day of strong winds that helped fuel small scattered fires across Southern California, rain is on the horizon. In L.A. County, where the Palisades and Eaton fires have carved a devastating path this month,

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.