Alva Review-Courier -

Thick smoke that held down winds and temperatures in the zone of the largest single wildfire in California history cleared Monday from scenic forestlands, allowing firefighting aircraft to rejoin the battle to contain the massive Dixie Fire.

The newly clear skies will allow more than two dozen helicopters and two air tankers that have been grounded to fly again and make it safer for ground crews to maneuver.

"With this kind of weather, fire activity will pick up. But the good thing is we can get aircraft up," said fire spokesman Ryan Bain.

Winds were not expected to reach the ferocious speeds...