Lightning sparks a dozen fires in Southern California, but rain helps firefighters
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Severe thunderstorms that sparked at least a dozen brush fires in Southern California are helping firefighters gain the upper hand on those blazes.
Fire spokeswoman Cheri Patterson says the 450-acre fire near Temecula is now 10 percent contained. She says rain and humidity assisted firefighters as they built a line around the blaze Thursday evening.
Lightning started at least a dozen fires in Riverside County on Thursday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Patterson says some residents voluntarily evacuated their homes in the Sage area and couldn't return after fire officials closed some roads.
The Antelope Valley is under a flash flood warning with forecasts of slow-moving thunderstorms over the high desert.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — Southern California was sweltering in triple-digit heat as monsoonal thunderstorms helped spark several brush fires.
Fire officials blamed eight fires in Riverside County on lightning strikes Thursday. They say strong winds from a storm system are fanning the flames.
Fire spokeswoman Cheri Patterson says residents were told to be ready to evacuate as a fire in the Sage area grew to 50 acres.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}She also says two sheriff's deputies were injured while rescuing a woman from a burning trailer in Lake Elsinore. One was treated for a burn, and the other for smoke inhalation.
The unstable weather system is baking Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley in 100-degree heat while pummeling Antelope Valley with heavy rain and hail. Thunderstorms were reported in nearby areas.