LOS ANGELES: Lighter winds in the Los Angeles area brought momentary respite to the thousands of firefighters battling deadly wildfires, but meteorologists said stronger winds would add to "critical fire weather". There is "virtually zero chance of rain" over the next week, which is also expected to see a return of the notoriously powerful Santa Ana winds, said meteorologist Daniel Swain. Several fires have blackened vast areas of bone-dry vegetation and devastated urban neighborhoods.
The big Eaton and Palisades fires, which remain active, have roared through some 40,000 acres (16,200 hectares). They are, respectively, 73 percent and 43 percent contained. With the firefighting effort making progress, thousands of evacuated residents were preparing to return home, while others still faced the stress of uncertainty. Search and rescue teams aided by canine units have been scouring the smoldering ruins of neighborhoods for possible victims in Altadena. — AFP
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