Cloudy skies and occasional raindrops brought a welcome improvement in conditions in southern California, where firefighters were battling wildfires.

THOUSANDS of devastated evacuees were yesterday returning to what was left of their homes as fires continued to threaten other parts of southern California.

Thousands of sad evacuees were today returning to what was left of their homes as fires continued to threaten other parts of Southern California.

Firefighters were given a breathing space in their battle against the blazes sweeping Southern California today.

Rescuers found the bodies of seven people and continued searching for at least nine others missing since mudslides engulfed two camps in southern California.

A wave of residents returned to their southern California mountain communities following a week of wildfires that have killed 20 people and destroyed more than 3,400 homes.

Firefighters returned today to battle a massive blaze creeping toward the mountain resort town of Big Bear Lake, California, after resting overnight for the first time in days.

For the first time in days, firefighters took a break from battling a massive blaze creeping eastward toward the mountain resort town of Big Bear Lake, California, as a welcome chill helped their cause and temperatures were expected to drop below 0C.

Arsonists are to blame for at least three of the raging fires in southern California that have so far claimed the lives of 20 people and destroyed more than 2,600 homes, authorities said.

WITH towering flames bearing down on southern California mountain towns, firefighters last night dug in to protect hundreds of homes while praying for more help from lower temperatures.

With towering flames bearing down on Southern California mountain towns, firefighters dug in to protect hundreds of homes today praying for help from lower temperatures.

Firefighters struggled desperately to save emptied-out resort towns in southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains as 200ft walls of flame engulfed dead and dried-out trees.

THE hot Santa Ana wind that has been driving California’s most destructive wildfires in history was giving way to cooler, more humid conditions yesterday, but that did little to tame the blazing tide as crews fought to save more homes.

Prosecutors in the United States have said they will not file rape charges against former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, saying the case could not be proven.