LOCAL : Winds Due to Return After Lull

The chilly, capricious winds that downed power lines and uprooted trees were all but a dusty memory today. Forecasters warned, however, that a new round of winds is expected Wednesday.

By mid-morning, gentle breezes of about 5 m.p.h. were recorded at the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro and were almost negligible at John Wayne Airport, the National Weather Service reported.

Though down and out, the winds were not altogether dead. Winds gusting to 30 m.p.h. were still possible today below the canyons and passes throughout Southern California.

Although Orange County firefighters had braced for the worst, the biggest fire resulting from Monday’s onslaught of winds was a blaze that blackened five acres near Bonita Canyon Road and Sunnyhill in the Turtle Rock area of Irvine. About 100 firefighters were called to battle the late-afternoon fire, which was contained in about two hours.