Firefighters have slowed the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles where dangerous winds gained strength again.

The fire threat remains critical in Southern California, where thousands of residents were under evacuation orders Wednesday as fire crews battled the out-of-control Hughes Fire near Castaic, a suburb in the foothills and mountains of northern Los Angeles County.

Fire-weary Los Angeles is in line for at least a brief reprieve from the dryness and wind that have fueled devastating wildfires in Southern California this month. LA and surrounding areas are set to receive a small but measurable amount of rain this weekend,

Rain in the forecast for Southern California this weekend could bring relief to firefighters battling wildfires. But it also brings risks of mudslides and toxic runoff.