Heat wave sparks brush fires in California

Firefighters are battling a series of brush fires throughout Southern California this weekend.

The brush fire that broke out in Temecula has doubled in size to 70 acres, according to Cal Fire Riverside county. The fire is 20% contained. Earlier in the day, the brush fire had was burning 30 acres south of the Temecula Parkway and forced the southbound I-15 freeway to close. Two southbound lanes reopened an hour later. No homes were immediately threatened in the area.

Another brush fire recently broke out in Jurupa Valley, a city roughly 50 miles north of Temecula.

Several more wildfires broke out in the region Saturday. Authorities ordered 200 homes or 500 to 600 people in Calabasas Hills to evacuate as a major blaze broke out amid 100-degree weather, the FOX reported. Hundreds of firefighters battled the flames. Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters were deployed as the fire burned close to homes in the area.

While wildfires typically break out during the summer, officials say the extreme heat and dry winter have created a higher risk of wildfires this season.

Firefighters in New Mexico and Arizona faced wildfires sparked by lightning.

In New Mexico, a wildfire burned nearly 12 square miles near Magdale, 100 miles southwest of Albuquerque.

Firefighters tried to contain a fire burning on more than 28 square miles in the Tonto National Forest.

Contributing: Associated Pres

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