Fierce winds pose new fire threat

Southern California is lining up its fire crews and aircraft to get in first if the hot, dry Santa Ana winds expected to return this weekend cause major flare-ups.

None of the more than two dozen air tankers and military helicopters that arrived from around the US to fight last month’s blazes would be returning to their home bases, said Francis Solich, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.