Blazes erupt as heat wave sets in

Wildfires hit Castaic Lake and San Bernardino County.

A fast-moving brush fire near Castaic Lake had grown to 1,000 acres, while another in San Bernardino prompted evacuations in one neighborhood Saturday as much of Southern California remained under a heat advisory.

The fire near the lake’s recreation area prompted a voluntary evacuation, according to Richard Licon, an inspector with the L.A. County Fire Department.

The fire, fueled by tall grass, was 10% contained and moving into the Angeles National Forest. Three water-dropping helicopters were assisting firefighters.

Meanwhile, a brush fire in the Wrightwood area of San Bernardino County prompted evacuations and at least one road closure, officials said.

The fire erupted at Zermatt and Pacific Crest drives around 11:50 a.m., said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy. The fire had burned 10 acres and was 20% contained.

“It’s looking pretty good right now,” Judy said Saturday.

The initial danger prompted the evacuation of residents in the area of Pacific Crest Drive between Zermatt and Lone Pine Canyon Road, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Department.

The California Highway Patrol also shut down Highway 2 at Wright Mountain Road.

Temperatures in valley and inland areas throughout the region Saturday afternoon hovered between the mid-80s and low 90s. They are expected to continue to rise through next week as Southern California goes through a summer heat wave.

A dry high-pressure system centered over Arizona and the Southwest is to blame for the hot days ahead, forecasters said.

Desert and mountain communities will take most of the hit when it comes to the heat. Temperatures are expected to hover between 120 and 122 degrees early this week in the Coachella Valley and deserts in San Diego County.