Wildfires

Wildfires - California

The race to stop an inferno torching the Los Angeles area has gotten more dangerous as furious winds -- some as strong as in a hurricane -- stoke the flames. Gusts of up to 70 mph will fuel the Getty Fire through Thursday, threatening more than 7,000 homes, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. And that's just one of at least 10 wildfires burning across California.

The newly formed Easy Fire quickly consumed 1,300 acres in Ventura County, officials said. It threatened 6,500 homes and forced school closures and evacuations.

About 26,000 people were forced from their homes by the Simi Valley fire. Power had been shut off in some areas, affecting almost a million people.