Video footage of the reunion on Sunday shows the dog, sooty and dishevelled, suddenly emerging from a neighbour’s driveway, prompting Mr Colvin to scream: “You’re alive, you’re alive.” He appears overcome with emotion as Oreo leaps into his arms and he lifts the dog into the air.

The resurgence of powerful winds across Southern California threatened to slow the containment of historically destructive wildfires that have so far left 24 people dead and thousands of homes destroyed.

Wildfires which have killed at least 24 people and left behind widespread destruction in Los Angeles County continue to burn Monday while more strong winds and challenging weather conditions are forecasted for the coming days.

Top Republicans in the U.S. Congress are considering imposing conditions on disaster aid to Los Angeles communities devastated by wildfires, after President-elect Donald Trump claimed that state and local officials had mishandled the situation.

A number of Republicans are calling for conditions to any federal aid that goes to California as the state struggles with catastrophic wildfires.

Republican lawmakers from states that have been devastated by natural disasters don't exactly love the idea of withholding aid to California.