Intense Southland heat wave brings record temperatures, brush fires

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/intense-heat-wave-brings-records-temperatures-brush-fires.html

The heat wave that has brought record-setting conditions to Southern California will continue through the weekend, causing firefighters to be on heightened alert.

On Friday, Palmdale and Lancaster set new records for the day, with a high of 109 degrees.

Temperatures on Saturday should be slightly lower but will still be well above 100 degrees in inland areas, according to the National Weather Service. Next week should bring a bit more relief, forecasters said.

A fire raging in northern San Diego County had burned 1,650 acres by Friday evening. Two smaller fires in San Bernardino and Ventura counties charred dozens of acres before being contained.

The wide-ranging fire in San Diego County was sparked by a lightning strike Thursday. Early on, several hundred firefighters struggled to contain it. They were helped Friday afternoon by thundershowers, and the blaze was 30% contained by Friday evening, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Several communities — including Woodland Hills and Sandberg, which is near Interstate 5 north of Santa Clarita — had record-breaking heat, and an excessive-heat warning was in effect for most of the day. Temperatures in Lancaster and Palmdale reached 109 degrees, which also set records for the date.