LOS ANGELES, May 6 (UPI) -- Fire officials say high temperatures, low humidity and Santa Ana-like winds have them concerned a rash of Southern California brush fires may spread.
Los Angeles County Fire Department firefighters fought a blaze Thursday in La Habra Heights after combating fires in Malibu, Lancaster, Santee and on Catalina Island this week.
About 60 firefighters on the ground were assisted by three water-dropping helicopters, and the fire that started about 7:40 p.m. PDT Thursday causing about a half-dozen people to be evacuated from a board-and-care facility, was extinguished early Friday morning, the Times said.
Angeles National Forest officials said they were bumping the fire danger level from "low" to "high" because of weather conditions, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.
Temperatures this week have reached the mid-90s in the valleys around Los Angeles, with humidity levels under 10 percent and dry, gusty wind.
"The Live Fuel Moisture readings have started to decline, grasses at lower elevations have begun to cure and recent fire activity has increased," forest officials said in a statement. "Despite the change, there are no new campfire restrictions. Open wood and charcoal fires will still be permitted in approved 'developed' campgrounds and picnic areas."
A low pressure system is bringing lower temperatures this weekend, the Times said.
