Ferocious Santa Ana winds raking Southern California whipped explosive wildfires Tuesday, prompting evacuation orders for thousands of homes.

The biggest blaze broke out Monday in Ventura County and grew wildly to more than 48 square miles (124 sq. kilometers) in the hours that followed, sheriff's Sgt. Eric Buschow said.

Another fire erupted on the north edge of Los Angeles, threatening the Sylmar and Lakeview Terrace neighborhoods, where residents scrambled to get out.

For the latest on the Ventura fire, click here. For the latest on the Sylmar fire, click here.

With files from the Associated Press

Guests:

Emily Guerin, KPCC reporter who is in Ventura

Josie Huang, KPCC correspondent who is in Lake View Terrace