Wild fires continue to rage across Los Angeles by Philip Avery
Over 10,000 people have been evacuated in and around Los Angeles, as fire fighters in California continue to battle a number of wild fires.
The fires have been fuelled by Santa Ana winds; these are dry offshore winds, which sweep through parts of southern California. In Downtown Los Angeles numerous heat records were set, with temperatures rising to 34C (93F), 11C (20F) above the average. It is this combination of heat and winds, which have helped intensify the blazes.
The first fire is currently burning to the north of LA, on the edge of the Angeles National Forest. Another has been burning just outside the San Fernando Valley since Friday night. Wind gusts have reached 80mph (128kph), but have not affected the whole of the state. They are predominately found at higher elevations, where they can be accelerated through canyons.
Warnings and advisories remain in effect for the next 24 hours, with forecasters at the National Weather Centre expecting the gusty winds to continue through Sunday night.
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