Thousands of homes were still under threat from wildfires in California today despite a break in the strong winds fanning the flames.

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

Thousands of people were being evacuated from houses, nursing homes and a hospital as brush fires fanned by fierce desert winds swept across Southern California today.

Thousands of homes were still at risk from wildfires raging through tinder-dry Californian countryside today.

Around 120 state and city police officers have been arrested in Mexico in a lightning swoop believed to be part of President Vicente Fox’s crackdown on drug smuggling and police corruption.