Rainfall is expected to reach Los Angeles and Southern California this weekend, bringing the risk of mudslides and fire debris flow.

Much-anticipated rain could be headed to drought-stricken Southern California this weekend -- but rainfall also brings the threat of landslides.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Parched Southern California was forecast to face more dangerous winds on Wednesday but could get some badly needed rain this weekend, dampening the prospects of another round of deadly wildfires though even a small amount of precipitation could could create new challenges like toxic ash runoff.

Two new wildfires started in Southern California Tuesday night and into Wednesday, as gusty Santa Ana winds continue to plague the state this week.

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.

The weekend’s rainfall will not be a very powerful storm, but rather showers, bringing between one quarter to a half inch of rain across Orange County and the inland region, Tardy said. Los Angeles is only expecting one-tenth of an inch, meteorologist Lisa Phillips said.

Much of Southern California is under red flag warning due to the strong winds and dry conditions that present high fire danger. National Weather Service officials said that winds

As winds across the Southern California area are calmer than their peak and firefighters are making progress, the threat to the fire-weary region remains with Santa Ana winds expected to continue in the coming days.

Millions of California residents were placed under a red flag warning through Thursday amid threats of further fires with looming winds in the forecast, according to multiple reports.

"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly," the NWS said.

A small number of residents were allowed to return to the devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas and firefighters quickly controlled small blazes that broke out.