Storms from unstable heat in Southern California yield lightning, sparking 8 brush fires

Unstable heat, lightning in Calif. spark 8 fires

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — 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.

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.