Southern California firefighters battling wildfires in 100-degree temps with 9,000 acres scorched
Multiple fires in Riverside County, California have burned more than 9,000 acres. While those in Los Angeles get some reprieve from the heat, temperatures continue to soar into the triple digits further east where wildfire activity is rampant.
California Rabbit Fire consumes more than 8,200 acres
Hot and dry temperatures are fueling multiple wildfires in Riverside County, California where Excessive Heat Warnings are in place through this weekend. Beaumont California resident Carl Petite was evacuated because of the Rabbit Fire but later allowed to return home.
After battling blazes in triple-digit temperatures over the weekend in the eastern Los Angeles area, the FOX Forecast Center forecasts a brief and minor ease in heat for firefighters as onshore breezes return, but it won't be long before Southern California is right back to the intense heat it experienced over the weekend.
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While temperatures have hovered around summer normals for much of the Los Angeles metro area, many of the inland valleys of Southern California have been baking in well-above average triple-digit heat and continue to do so, with various Excessive Heat alerts in effect through this weekend.
Temperatures in the eastern valleys on Wednesday are expected to drop a few degrees – though still reach around 100 degrees, before climbing back toward 105 later this week. That means little if any noticeable relief where firefighters are working to contain multiple wildfires.
(FOX Weather)
Further east, Excessive Heat Warnings remain in place through Saturday night for Riverside, Barstow and Palm Springs with high temperatures ranging from 98-105 on Wednesday, climbing back up near 110 Friday and Saturday.
Fight continues against multiple wildfires in Southern California
Over the weekend, at least four wildfires started in Southern California over the span of several hours, consuming more than 3,000 acres as temperatures there ranged from 100-105 degrees.
Scenes of the Rabbit Fire from Beaumont, California. (image credit: Columbia Water Gardens, YouTube)
(FOX Weather)
By mid-week, the containment of several fires was promising, even with 100-degree-pus high temperatures still forecast in Riverside and Beaumont, California.
Multiple fires continue to burn in Riverside County, according to CALFire, including the Rabbit Fire which has burned 8,283 acres. The fire started July 14 in Moreno Valley and is now 55% contained with over 1,500 firefighting personnel battling the blaze.
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The Gavilan Fire in Lake Mathews is 70% contained after burning nearly 340 acres and the Reche Fire is almost completely contained after burning more than 430 acres this weekend.
Multiple communities were forced to evacuate or place under evacuation warnings.
Several new fires sparked on Tuesday in Central and Northern California. An Excessive Heat Watch is in place through Sunday evening for Central California where temperatures could reach up to 115 degrees in the Mojave Desert.
The Juniper Fire in Fresno County started Tuesday along Highway 198 and Crump Lane. The blaze is 15 acres and 10% contained.
In Northern California, the Stony Fire sparked Tuesday afternoon on County Road 306 and Highway 162. So far, the fire has consumed 89 acres, but firefighters have it mostly contained.
Fires have been fueled by dry and warm conditions as most of California has been under heat advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings over the past week. Several decades-old temperature records fell over the weekend, including at Lancaster Airport with 110 degrees, toppling the 109-degree record set in 1960.