Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Firefighters Struggle to Contain California Wildfires Before Stronger Wind
Gusts

VOA News

   Hundreds of firefighters struggled to contain wind-fueled wildfires
   Tuesday in the western U.S. state of California ahead of stronger wind
   gusts expected later in the day.

   The most recent fire broke out Monday near the Getty Museum on the west
   side of Los Angeles and has since grown to more than 250 hectares,
   burning down at least eight homes. The area is where some of the city's
   most expensive houses are located and the fire forced thousands to
   evacuate.

   Basketball star LeBron James, who lives in the area, said he was
   evacuated with his family, but had difficulties finding a nearby hotel
   with vacancies.

   "Finally found a place to accommodate us!" the Los Angeles Lakers
   player wrote on Twitter. "Crazy night man!"

   The fire burned Monday close to a major highway Interstate 405 and
   commuters posted pictures on social media showing hills around the road
   on flames. Fire officials are monitoring the threat of low humidity and
   high winds over the next few days that will make fire-fighting efforts
   more difficult.

.