Winds Prompt Fire Alert

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California officials say powerful winds are to blame for a power outage affecting nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area.<br/><br/>Strong gusts knocked down power

Tuesday, December 25th 2007, 3:20 pm

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- California officials say powerful winds are to blame for a power outage affecting nearly 10,000 homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area.

Strong gusts knocked down power lines and caused several transformers to blow. It also hindered firefighters battling a fire that gutted a historic church in Hollywood.

The National Weather Service says Santa Ana winds gusted as high as 94 miles per hour in the mountains north of the city. The winds, combined with low humidity; prompted forecasters to issue a "red flag" warning, indicating prime conditions for brush fires through Tuesday night.