Storms from unstable heat in Southern Calif. yield lightning, sparking at least 15 brush fires
By APThursday, July 15, 2010
Unstable heat, lightning in Calif. spark 15 fires
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Southern California was sweltering in triple-digit heat as monsoonal thunderstorms helped spark at least a dozen brush fires.
Fire officials say lightning strikes on Thursday were to blame for at least 15 fires in Riverside County and that strong winds are fanning the flames. Three separate fires also are burning in remote areas east of San Diego.
County fire spokeswoman Cheri Patterson says some are small spot fires, while others have consumed up to 75 acres of heavy brush.
In Lake Elsinore, crews are working to control a fire burning a home and nearby vegetation.
The high topped 100 degrees in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley as a high-pressure ridge settled over the region. The weather system drew moisture from Mexico, resulting in higher humidity and an unstable airmass.
