A wind-driven wildfire charred dozens of acres in the sparsely developed northeastern reaches of San Diego County, damaging structures and forcing pre-dawn evacuations before crews could gain the upper hand on the flames Wednesday.

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

A wind-driven wildfire charred dozens of acres in a sparsely developed area south of Pala Mesa on Tuesday, damaging structures and forcing pre-dawn evacuations before crews could gain the upper hand on the flames.

Earlier this month, strong Santa Ana winds created the ideal conditions ... Diego County in the early hours of Tuesday. The Lilac Fire was burning near Old Highway 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall, California, 47 miles north of San Diego.

Fire danger persists with Santa Ana winds in the forecast Wednesday into Thursday as firefighters work to contain the Palisades, Eaton, Lilac, and Clay Fires in Southern California. However, there is some hope on the way in the form of raindrops and a wind shift this weekend.

Forward progress was stopped on the Lilac fire around 10 a.m. It was one of three fires in North County early Tuesday.

Three wildfires broke out in quick succession overnight and into early Tuesday in northern San Diego County, California.

Stay informed about the latest on the California wildfires. Learn about the dangerous winds and fire conditions in Southern California.

Southern California is facing fierce fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds, which threaten homes and put firefighters to the test.

A rare Particularly Dangerous Situation warning has been issued for Southern California as a powerful and potentially damaging Santa Ana wind event​ is expected.

As wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles, three fires broke out in San Diego County, prompting evacuation orders and warnings.

LA County Sheriff says about 31,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders while another 23,000 were under evacuation warnings.