New fires erupt in California as heatwave sears Southwest

Towering columns of smoke rose from the San Gabriel Mountains as two fires burning less than 2 miles apart devoured brush on steep slopes above foothill suburbs.

Officials had warned of extreme fire danger in the region as the heat peaked.

Overnight winds pushed flames into previously burned areas, allowing firefighters to boost containment to more than 50 percent.

Both camps posted social media updates saying the facilities were fine and there was no immediate threat.

In eastern Arizona, a fire doubled to nearly 42 square miles and led officials to warn a community of 300 residents to prepare to evacuate.

The blaze on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation southwest of Show Low was not moving quickly toward the community of Cedar Creek because of sparse vegetation and shifting winds.