California fires spread quickly, evacuation orders lifted in other parts of West - CBS News

California fires spread quickly, evacuation orders lifted in other parts of West - CBS News

Excessive heat sent Southern Californians flocking to beaches and in search of water, shade and air conditioning to escape the heat. Forecasters warned that triple-digit temperatures up to 110 degrees would be common in some inland areas and could be deadly for the elderly, children and outdoor workers. Air quality reached unhealthy and very unhealthy in areas inland from Los Angeles. 

Brutally hot temperatures have been recorded across the Southwest, CBS News' Chris Martinez reported. Phoenix hit a high of 118 degrees Friday, breaking a 112-year record. Palm Springs, California, reached 122 degrees, one of its hottest days ever. And in Death Valley, the mercury soared to 127.

"We are going to see an increase in calls during this peak heat," said Los Angeles Fire Captain Erik Scott. 

Scott said many people ignore the very real risks of spending too much time outdoors. And even for the most seasoned veterans,  "firefighters are not exempt to this heat themselves," Scott said.

"Firefighters take with them to a fire 100 extra pounds -- you have temperatures up to 112 degrees right now, it's very challenging," Scott said.

High temps and dry gusts tripled the size of another Santa Barbara wildfire to nearly 30 square miles over eight hours and forced evacuations of about 200 homes in a rural area east of Santa Maria, fire spokesman Kirk Sturm said.

After five years of severe drought, California got a big break with record rainfall and snowpack in parts of the state this year that has delayed the start of fire season in some places, but has also led to explosive vegetation growth that could fuel future fires.

In Northern California, a Butte County wildfire swept through grassy foothills and destroyed 10 structures, including homes, and led to several minor injuries.

Burned-out pickup trucks were left in ashes, surrounded by charred, leafless trees. The metal frame of a mobile home and a vintage stove were left standing in scorched debris at one site.

The blaze about 60 miles north of Sacramento grew rapidly to more than 4 square miles and was 20 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.