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.

Crews battling wildfires in Southern California face more powerful winds before rain is forecast to arrive this weekend and potentially slow the deadly blazes.

The 10,396-acre Hughes fire reached 56% containment Friday as first responders gained progress on multiple blazes burning in Los Angeles County, which is expected to receive some rain over the weekend.

Over 1,100 firefighters were “strategically pre-positioned” across Southern California to address "ongoing critical fire weather," Cal Fire said.

The fast-moving Hughes Fire stoked fresh fears in a region already devastated by two weeks of deadly infernos.

Toxic smoke and dangerous particulate pollution are spreading far beyond the flames, leaving air quality at unhealthy levels in multiple counties.