rs got little help from Mother Nature on Saturday as much-needed rainfall from expected thunderstorms didn't materialize for a huge wildfire burning in the Southern California mountains near Palm Springs.Fire officials were hopeful the storms, which can also bring wind, lightning and other volatile conditions, would douse some of the flames, but they said there hadn't been any significant rainfall.
Cooler temperatures overnight, however, helped firefighters make progress on the fire's northern and southern flanks in the San Jacinto Mountains, as personnel worked to spare nearby desert communities from damage.
The blaze, which grew to roughly 42 square miles, was 49 percent contained, officials said.
Thunderstorms present a major threat to progress this weekend. Combined with hot air on the ground, the unstable air could create a strong updraft that draws smoke high into the atmosphere, fire spokesman Capt. Mike Lindbery said.
If the smoke column rises too high, moisture at the top could freeze and the weight of the ice could cause the column to collapse, creating a powerful downdraft in all directions....
US Air Force dumping fire retardant on a blaze near San Diego, date unknown
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