A new fast-moving wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County, triggering evacuations in a region already reeling from the most destructive fires in its history. The Hughes fire ignited north of the city on Wednesday afternoon, near Castaic Lake in a mountainous area that borders several residential areas and schools.

"The fire is growing with a moderate rate of spread and structures are threatened," Cal Fire said as it issued evacuation orders.

The Hughes Fire was first reported shortly after 10:30 a.m. along Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic Lake and the 5 Freeway, according to Cal Fire.

At least 28 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple wildfires rage across Southern California.

The Los Angeles haven’t spread in nearly a week, but the return of the Santa Ana winds to full strength could cause problems.

A second day of windy and dry conditions is in store for Southern California. Winds have picked up and are expected to continue through Tuesday morning, raising the risk of new wildfires sparking.

Horses evacuated Tuesday from the wildfire-threatened San Luis Rey Downs training center in Bonsall, San Diego County, and shipped elsewhere, largely to Del Mar racetrack, could return to the training center as soon as Wednesday afternoon,

Parched Southern California could get some badly needed rain this weekend to dampen the prospects of another round of deadly wildfires.

The Hughes fire has prompted mandatory evacuations in Castic, California, as the fire has a "rapid rate of spread" Cal Fire said.

According to AccuWeather, a storm sliding south along the California coast from Friday to Sunday could bring some much-needed rainfall.

The Hughes Fire has spread over 5,054 acres after starting just before lunchtime in Los Angeles County's Castaic Lake area on Wednesday.