After a brush fire threatened some 1,500 homes east of Los Angeles, residents were returning home Monday morning. The homes were along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest. About 400 homes were evacuated over the weekend, according to Melody Lardner, spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service.

Although winds were calmer Saturday morning, by Saturday afternoon gusts were picking up, and scattered thunderstorms challenged weekend firefighting efforts.

The 1,500-acre fire began Friday afternoon some 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

Evacuations or evacuation alerts occurred in the communities of Smiley Park, Fredalba, Knob Hill and Enchanted Forest.

Throughout northern California, 40 new fires were sparked by lightning last week alone.

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