AFTERNOON CHATTER

Fire fighters got some relief today in Los Angeles as winds calmed down a bit easing some stress to the effort.

Two separate fires have burned more than 18,000 acres in the hills and mountains north of Los Angeles.

Nearly 2,000 residents were forced from their homes as firefighters struggled with the largest blaze at Marek in Little Tujunga and the Kahal canyons. At least 5,000 acres have already been destroyed by the fire, but it seems to be mostly contained now.