LOS ANGELES _ A fast-moving brush fire near Castaic Lake has grown to 500 acres, while a separate fire in San Bernardino prompted evacuations in one neighborhood Saturday as much of Southern California remains under a heat advisory.
The fire near the lake's recreation area north of Santa Clarita prompted a voluntary evacuation, according to Richard Licon, an inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The fire was fueled by tall grass and was moving into the Angeles National Forest, he said.
The fire continues to burn with zero containment. Firefighters are battling the blaze assisted by water-dropping helicopters.
The fire erupted at Zermatt and Pacific Crest Drives around 11:50 a.m., said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Nathan Judy. The fire's progress has stopped and it is currently holding at 7seven acres, Judy said.
"It's looking pretty good right now," Judy said.
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.
There have been no further evacuations, Judy said.
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. But temperatures 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 next week in the Coachella Valley and deserts in San Diego County.
