Winds have briefly eased in LA but the battle continues for firefighters trying to contain deadly wildfires.  

Whole neighbourhoods have burned to the ground and many evacuated families don't know when they can return home.  

Meanwhile, local authorities warn the gusts could pick up again next week.  

Fire and Emergency New Zealand's Thomas Harre has worked in California.  

He told Tim Beveridge the environment's very complex in terms of its terrain, fuel types, and vegetation types, as well as the number of communities affected.  

Harre says that makes it very difficult to extinguish, especially combined with the current weather conditions. 

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