The 10,396-acre Hughes fire reached 56% containment Friday as first responders gained progress on multiple blazes burning in Los Angeles County, which is expected to receive some rain over the weekend.

Firefighters continue to battle fires across Southern California as the area prepares for a presidential visit Friday and rain in the weekend forecast.

The two largest fires, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, remain active. One of the latest, the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area, has prompted evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people.

Over 19,000 people in Castaic were under evacuation orders on Wednesday after Hughes Fire spread to 5,000+ acres within hours, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. The massive blaze started off of Lake Hughes Road just before 11 AM local time.

The Hughes Fire burned some 10,176 acres but that figure held steady throughout the day as 4,000 firefighters dropped water and retardant from the air and used hand tools and hoses on the ground.

Firefighters have slowed the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles where dangerous winds gained strength again.

Firefighters are battling a fast-moving blaze in southern California that has swelled over the past day, with authorities warning that Thursday is "the period of greatest concern". The Hughes fire, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Los Angeles,