Lucas J. Mire & Kevin Chambers, weather.com
 Winds
fan California fires that threaten homes north of LA.
Fierce winds
blew through the passes and canyons of Southern California Tuesday,
stoking brushfires north of Los Angeles and making travel difficult
for high-profile vehicles.
The wind fueled
at least three wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties,
threatening the homes of celebrities like Will Smith. It's been
dry in those areas, so conditions are ripe for brush fires.
Three sixteen-year-olds
and one eighteen-year-old were arrested late Tuesday for investigation
of igniting the wind-blown fires, though authorities did not elaborate
on what caused investigators to suspect the youths.
Authorities
said about 600 firefighters were battling the blaze, while four
water-dropping helicopters and two retardant-dropping air tankers
helped contain the blazes from above.
"We're
just continuing to work on it...," a Ventura County fire
department information officer told ABC News. "The main control
problem of course are the winds."
By late Tuesday,
the blaze was 70 percent contained.
A high wind
warning was issued for San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Wind advisories were in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties,
as well as Orange County coastal areas and San Diego County valleys.
Wind gusts
mostly were in the 35 mph range, but forecasters said gusts of
up to 80 mph were possible in the Santa Ana mountains.
Drivers with
high-profile trucks and campers were warned that the wind could
make it difficult to control their vehicles, authorities said.
Motorists also were cautioned that blowing dust could reduce visibility
on Southern California highways.
Residents
were told to secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture, and
to watch out for downed trees and power lines.
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