A wet pattern will bring periods of rain and showers to Southern California, dropping an inch or two in the Los Angeles region — the most to fall since mid-April. It will be key for firefighters continuing to battle flames.

A 60% to 80% chance of thunderstorms is anticipated in the area beginning Saturday, which could bring up to two inches of rainfall, Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service's office for Los Angeles,

Firefighters have slowed the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles where dangerous winds gained strength again.

Firefighters are battling a fast-moving blaze in southern California that has swelled over the past day, with authorities warning that Thursday is "the period of greatest concern". The Hughes fire, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Los Angeles,