IN BRIEF

california weather

Wildfire burn areas escape storm damage

Weary residents ordered to evacuate during heavy overnight rains returned home Wednesday as the threat of mudslides and flash flooding in Southern California's wildfire burn areas eased on the eve of Thanksgiving.

All 1,500 people ordered to leave their homes in the Orange County city of Yorba Linda were allowed back in and no major flooding was reported in the hilly suburban communities that burned earlier this month.

Northwest of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County officials lifted evacuation orders for residents of about 2,200 homes.

The first big Pacific storm of the season came ashore Tuesday, and on Wednesday it still was occasionally dropping heavy rain, but the region largely appeared to have avoided serious damage.

SUV INVOLVED

Motorcyclist, 29, killed in Highway 95 crash

A 29-year-old motorcyclist was killed after running into a sport utility vehicle on U.S. Highway 95 near Craig Road Tuesday night.

Shortly before 10 p.m., Chad England of Las Vegas was riding a 2008 Harley-Davidson north at what witnesses called a "high rate of speed," Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.

A 2002 Ford sport utility vehicle was traveling ahead of England and changed lanes. Witnesses said the driver of the Ford used a turn signal, trooper Kevin Honea said.

England crossed the left lane and entered the left paved shoulder. The right side of the motorcycle struck the left rear side of the Ford, officials said.

England was thrown from the motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.