A wind-driven wildfire charred dozens of acres Tuesday 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.

The Santa Anas are expected to be most powerful Monday night into Tuesday. Fire services across the region say they are ready.

Meteorologists said there was a chance the winds would be as severe as those that fueled the Palisades and Eaton fires, but that different locations would likely be affected.

Nearly two weeks after the start of two of the most devastating wildfires to hit the Los Angeles area, Southern California is under an extreme fire risk warning again.

The National Weather Service issued its highest fire weather alert level for portions of the Los Angeles area for Monday into Tuesday morning, as powerful Santa Ana winds return. Threat level: The "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning indicates any fires that ignite could quickly grow out of control.