"Utility crews worked Friday to restore electricity to thousands of Southern California customers in the aftermath of fierce winds that downed power lines, stoked a wildfire that damaged homes and triggered a sandstorm that may have led to a fatal highway pileup.
"Winds were decreasing across the region, the National Weather Service said.
"More than 246,000 utility customers lost power in the region after the winds shrieked in Thursday.
"The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power still had more than 73,000 customers without power at late morning Friday. Southern California Edison was working to restore service to about 2,300."