The Latest: California winds topple trees, drives wildfire

LOS ANGELES

The Latest on high winds in Southern California (all times local):

10:50 p.m.

Authorities say home evacuations near a small, wind-fueled brush fire in Southern California have been called off.

Strong winds had been hitting the area, toppling trees and causing power outages. The Desert Sun of Palm Springs reports that local fire officials said people living in 20 homes that were evacuated near the brush fire have been allowed to return.

More than 1,000 Southern California Edison customers were without power in Palm Springs Tuesday night.

Strong winds are expected to continue into Wednesday evening.

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9:50 p.m.

Gusty winds in Southern California have toppled trees, propelled a wildfire and caused power outages but no major damage or injuries are reported.

Strong winds hit the region Tuesday and are expected to continue into Wednesday morning, gusting to 70 mph in the mountains and foothills.

In North Hollywood, a man sitting in his car escaped injury when downed tree branches came through the windshield. Trees fell on Interstate 10, blocking some lanes, and on a home in Baldwin Park.

The Desert Sun of Palm Springs says winds are driving a brushfire Tuesday night north of downtown and some homes have been evacuated. However, there are no immediate reports of damage.

The paper says some people packed their cars and left while others used garden hoses to wet their roofs.

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8:16 a.m.

Forecasters have issued wind advisories and warnings for a wide swath of Southern California, including mountains, deserts and some valleys.

The National Weather Service says breezes Tuesday will strengthen into strong north-northwest winds that could produce gusts up to 70 mph (113 kph) in some areas.

Forecasters say potential impacts could include downed trees, power outages, difficult driving conditions and dangerous sea conditions for mariners.