Associated Press
SAN BERNARDINO – Evacuations were extended Saturday as a wildfire with leaping flames burned in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a days-long heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits across the region.
The so-called Line Fire burned out of control along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of LA. As of Saturday afternoon, the fire had charred about 28 square miles of grass and chaparral, leaving a thick cloud of dark smoke covering the area.
The fire started on Thursday evening and the cause is under investigation.
About 500 firefighters battled the blaze, supported by water-dropping helicopters hovering over houses and hillsides, along with aircraft.
Firefighters said the blaze had “potential for major fire growth” over the next 12 hours.
The fire created billowing clouds of dense smoke, and flames could be seen cresting mountain slopes.
No injuries were reported and no homes or other structures were damaged or destroyed.
The National Weather Service said downtown Los Angeles reached a high of 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 Celsius) on Friday, marking the third time since 1877 that a high of 112 degrees or more has been reached there.