Across the World: United States

1,500 flee wildfires

Wildfires threatened hundreds of homes in the seaside hills and foothill canyons near Los Angeles early yesterday, feeding on bone-dry brush in the midst of a heat wave. As many as 1,500 people had to leave the wealthy seaside community of Rancho Palos Verdes overnight. Water-dropping helicopters worked through the night, as the ominous red glow of flames illuminated the darkness. A lack of wind let the helicopters operate in the canyons.