Powerful winds and bone-dry conditions were expected to pose a challenge to firefighters battling new wildfires in southern California on Thursday, including a new blaze that swelled over the past day,

Forecasters warn that dangerous winds will buffet Southern California for at least two more days as new wildfires broke out and a pair of major Los Angeles-area blazes burned for a third week.

CASTAIC, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters fought to maintain the upper hand on a huge and rapidly moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and resulted in more than 50,000 people being put under evacuation orders or warnings.

The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had charred nearly 16 square miles of trees and brush near Lake Castaic.

A new fast-moving wildfire has erupted in Los Angeles County, prompting tens of thousands to evacuate a region already reeling from the most destructive fires in its history.

A fire has broken out north of Los Angeles, with some 50,000 people under evacuation orders or warnings. The region is still reeling from a recent spate of deadly conflagrations.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has sent a letter to its full membership about its upcoming Oscars ceremony on March 2 and how it will honor Los Angeles amid its wildfire crisis. “We will honor Los Angeles as the city of dreams,