Wildfire erupts in L.A.'s dry hills
Strong winds drive the blaze near expensive mountainside homes.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published April 13, 2007
LOS ANGELES - Fires erupted in the hills above Los Angeles on Thursday, damaging or destroying several homes, as dangerous north winds swept dry southern California. Farther inland, a blinding sandstorm triggered a deadly highway pileup.
Wind speeds of more than 50 mph propelled a 35-acre blaze in grass near expensive mountainside homes above the city of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers said.
Fires erupted on the roofs of homes and three were damaged, two severely, Myers said.
About 200 firefighters, some using water-dropping helicopters, contained the blaze to 50 acres, or less than a square mile, in the Beverly Glen neighborhood on the south face of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Fires caused power outages for more than 100,000 customers in Los Angeles County and surrounding areas. Utility officials didn't know when service would be restored.
A morning pileup on Interstate 40 killed two people and injured several others near Barstow during zero-visibility conditions, authorities said.
High winds at Los Angeles International Airport forced jets to make second approaches, while others chose to divert to LA/Ontario International Airport, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.
Southern California is extremely fire-prone after a dry winter. Downtown Los Angeles has recorded less than 2 1/2 inches of rain since July 1.