Malibu, California - Returning Santa Ana winds have firefighters grappling to corral a devastating Southern California wildfire and hoping new blazes won't erupt.
The Woolsey fire that ravaged areas from north of Los Angeles all the way to coastal Malibu has burned more than 400 buildings, most of them homes, and state fire officials say about 57 000 buildings remain at risk.
Some progress was made thanks to a weekend lull in the winds, and evacuation orders have been lifted for parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
Although the fire is 30 percent contained, state fire Division Chief Chris Anthony says firefighters will be vigilant as the return of hot, dry winds once again increase the risk of explosive fire growth. Fire crews had to stamp out two new fires in the region on Monday before they could do any harm.
Paul Rasmussen shoots video of the charred hillside and his burned 1968 Pontiac across from his property in the southern California city of Malibu. His home survived the fire thanks to his neighbours who fought the flames using buckets and hoses. Picture: Christopher Weber/AP
Randy Berkeley, left, describes for neighbour Paul Rasmussen how he used a hose to battle a 100-foot wall of flames that roared down the hill toward their homes in the southern California city of Malibu. Berkeley and his wife and their son saved their home and Rasmussen's. Picture: Christopher Weber/AP
