A big rig ignited a brush fire Tuesday that jumped the 210 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, prompting a blitz by firefighters to douse the flames in record-breaking heat.
Helicopters dropped water on the fire on both sides of the 210 Freeway as crews on the ground worked to douse the blaze, reported at 12 acres as of noon.
The fire was not threatening any homes, but firefighters were on high alert as the region as fierce winds fed the fire and heat records were already beginning fall even before the hottest part of the day.
Temperature at LAX reached 98 degrees before noon, topping the record of 96 set in 1965. Downtown Los Angeles hit 99 degrees, tying a record set in 1909. It's going to be a sweltering afternoon, but temperatures are expected to drop off slightly by tomorrow.
The fire, which started north of the 210, jumped the freeway and was burning toward the south.
The stretch of the 210 and 15 freeways were closed and traffic was being rerouted to offramps nearby.
City News Service contributed to this report.
