Canyon winds that spread flames across northern Los Angeles County came to the aid of firefighters by blowing the latest wildfire back on itself, easing the threat to hundreds of homes.
Flames, driven by 25 mph winds, spread on a hill north of downtown Los Angeles Wednesday.
By Ric Francis, AP
An 8,900-acre wildfire that burned two homes and a bridge turned into the Mojave Desert and stopped moving Wednesday. Most residents were allowed to return to homes south of Highway 14 that were evacuated when the fire broke out Tuesday.
The fire was 30% contained and county fire Capt. Dennis Cross said it was "significantly laying down" overnight after moving into the desert.
"It‘s in the sand, the rock, the dirt, that type of terrain, which makes it easier for us to get a line around it," Cross said.
About 2,400 firefighters battled the blaze in dry brush about 50 miles north of Los Angeles.
