Santa Ana winds finally delivered a big, direct hit on San Diego County Tuesday, gusting as high as 102 mph in the backcountry where a touch of long-overdue rain could arrive this weekend.

An uptick in Santa Ana winds Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, combined with critically dry vegetation and low humidity, will result in elevated to locally critical fire weather conditions in County through late Thursday.

Over 1,100 firefighters were “strategically pre-positioned” across Southern California to address "ongoing critical fire weather," Cal Fire said.

With the strongest of the winds in the inland valleys and mountains of San Diego County on Monday night through Tuesday morning, the highest wind gusts of 102 mph were recorded in Sill Hill, near Julian. This is a typical wind-prone area in the mountains known for exceptionally high wind gusts, offshore and onshore.

San Diego County expects rain and mountain snow after severe Santa Ana winds and wildfires across Southern California, marking a hopeful turn in a dry water year.

A high wind warning was issued by the NWS San Diego CA on Wednesday at 12:04 p.m. valid for Thursday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The warning is for San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire,

California officials warn of flood risks from rain after Trump adds conditions to LA disaster aid: Live - Seven fires are still raging across Southern California and have consumed more than 57,000 acr

San Diego County remains under the grip of another round of moderate to strong Santa Ana winds, paired with extremely dry air, elevating critical fire weather concerns.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed fire engines, water-dropping aircraft and hand crews across the region—to enable a rapid response if a new fire does break out, according to The Associated Press.

Millions of California residents were placed under a red flag warning through Thursday amid threats of further fires with looming winds in the forecast, according to multiple reports.

Wildfires in San Diego have led to mandatory evacuations in the area on Tuesday. Officials tell FOX News that two wildfires are burning in San Diego County, with strong Santa Ana winds creating "dangerous fire conditions." RELATED: Why are winter wildfires happening in Southern California?