At least two new wildfires broke out in Southern California as winds picked up on Tuesday, keeping firefighters on alert amid extreme fire weather, two weeks after major blazes broke out in the Los Angeles area, two of which are still burning.

Fresh winds - blowing in amid still bone-dry conditions - mark the end of dangerously high fire risk conditions that have allowed firefighters in the beleaguered city to largely contain burn tolls. Catastrophic fires involving thousands of homes. The fires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed more than 14,000 buildings since they began with high winds on January 7.

During the extreme fire weather expected to last into Tuesday morning, wind gusts could reach 70 mph (113 kph) along the coast and 100 mph (160 kph) in the mountains and foothills. The National Weather Service reported overnight wind speeds ranging from 35 mph (56 kph) along the coast to 63 mph (101 kph) in the mountains.

The weather service issued a warning that parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties will face "particularly hazardous conditions" from Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning due to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds.

"Once a fire breaks out, conditions are ripe for explosive fire spread," said Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the Oxnard Weather Service.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday that the city is prepared for any new fires that may break out and warned that strong winds could disperse ash from existing fire zones in Southern California. She urged Angelenos to visit lacity.gov to learn ways to protect themselves from toxic air during Santa Ana winds.

Cal Fire and local fire departments have deployed fire trucks, water jets and crews to the area to allow for a quick response in the event of a new fire.

At least three small fires are burning in San Diego County. The Lilac Fire has burned about 50 acres (20 hectares) and evacuation orders have been issued. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said it is growing at a "moderate rate of spread and structures are threatened." The agency said firefighters are making progress on the Para fire, which has been reported to have been extinguished. The San Diego Fire Department said another fire, the Friar Fire, broke out Monday afternoon near the highway and firefighters responded quickly.

Los Angeles firefighters quickly extinguished a small brush fire that broke out just south of the iconic three-domed Griffith Observatory on Monday.

Los Angeles Police Department spokesman David Cuellar said a man was in custody on suspicion of setting the fire. Firefighters also quickly extinguished a brush fire along Interstate 405 near Los Angeles' Granada Hills neighborhood that temporarily closed the northbound lanes.

Firefighters aggressively extinguished a blaze that broke out in Poway, San Diego County, on Monday afternoon and prevented it from spreading.

Roque said the Los Angeles area is expected to receive light rainfall over the weekend, but more gusty winds are expected on Thursday.

Authorities are urging people not to mow their lawns to prevent igniting fires and not to start any fires that could get out of control. They also urged residents to review their evacuation plans and prepare emergency kits, and to be on the lookout for any new fires and report them quickly.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman David Acuna said the biggest concern is that the Palisades and Eaton fires have breached containment lines and started new fires.

"Don't do anything to start another fire so we can focus on mitigating the current fire," Acuna said.

More evacuation orders were lifted in Pacific Palisades on Monday, with authorities saying only residents who show proof of residency at checkpoints will be allowed to return.

Contributed by Associated Press Report