Lower temperatures have allowed fire crews in California to make some gains in battling the massive wildfire burning north of Los Angeles, but there are concerns that winds may further fan the flames. - The lack of wind over the last week has been a saving factor for crews battling the Station fire in the Angeles National Forest, according to officials. - Autumn is the season for the ferocious Santa Ana winds to sweep in from the northeastern deserts, gaining speed through narrow mountain canyons, sapping moisture from vegetation and pushing flames into the suburbs. - "If we had Santa Anas, we still have all this open land here on the western flank, and islands of vegetation would throw embers into the air, which would blow down to the homes, " said fire official Henry Martinez. "Let’s hope that doesn't happen." - The peak of the Southern California fire season doesn't start until October. The Station blaze, which began on Aug. 26, is the largest and most dangerous of at least eight burning around central and Southern California. 'Very big animal' - U.S. Forest Service spokesman Mike Dietrich said Wednesday fire crews are "making excellent progress" battling the blaze. About 28 per cent of the fire has been contained, mainly through the use of firebreaks carved with bulldozers and controlled burns that rob the advancing fire of fuel. - But Dietrich said fire crews have not yet turned the corner in fighting the massive fire, which has burned nearly 570 square kilometres of brush. - "Right now, if I were in a boxing match, I'd think we're even today," Dietrich said. "We're not at the upper hand yet. The fire still has a lot of potential and it's a very big animal out there." - Bulldozers continue to scratch lines around the perimeter of the fire. - Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said only 50 homes in his jurisdiction remained under mandatory evacuation Wednesday, down from...
Lower temperatures have allowed fire crews in California to make some gains in battling the massive ...
