7 Homes Lost as Southland Forest Fires Continue to Burn

Wildfires in San Bernardino and Riverside counties burned more than 30,000 acres over the weekend, destroying seven homes and threatening hundreds of others.

The most destructive blaze was started by a lightning strike Friday in the San Jacinto Mountains, which tower over the desert resorts of Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage.

By Monday, the fire--so small in the beginning that firefighters did not detect it for about a day--had grown to 19,200 acres and raged out of control through mountain communities, where residents of about 500 homes were evacuated. Officials said that 45 firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze.

The flames destroyed seven homes in the Pinyon Pines area. But U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Ruth Wenstrom said late Monday afternoon that fire lines were holding well and that Palm Springs and the other resort communities appeared in no danger.

About 60 miles to the northwest, a fire that began Sunday near Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains leaped out of control within hours and charred 11,000 acres. By late afternoon Monday, firefighters reported they had the blaze 50% contained in the Lucerne Valley foothills.