Firefighters battle blazes on east and west US coasts

US firefighters battled huge blazes early today, including one that burned homes and forced residents and visitors on Santa Catalina Island to flee the resort off the southern California coast.

Dozens of fire engines arrived through the night aboard giant military hovercraft from the Marine Corps’ Camp Pendleton. The high-speed hovercraft can carry 60 tons over land or water and are often used by the military on humanitarian missions.