3 HOMES GUTTED IN FIRE PATH.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew, Kathleen Sweeney and Heather MacDonald Staff Writers

Dry brush, scorching heat and gusty winds fueled two wildfires Wednesday in Castaic and Agua Dulce, burning three homes and temporarily closing the Golden State Freeway because of thick smoke.

Using a SuperScooper that arrived just Wednesday and a giant Helitanker, firefighters fought the first big brush fire of the season, which consumed 400 acres in Agua Dulce.

The brush fires kicked off what officials predicted will be an especially hazardous fire season.

``At least we're alive,'' a teary-eyed Sandy Dawson said as flames approached her home in Agua Dulce. ``It took us four years to build this house with our bare hands.''

Across the region, temperatures soared above 100 as air conditioners strained the state's power reserves, triggering a Stage 2 alert. No records were broken but temperatures were recorded at 105 degrees in Chatsworth and 93 in Van Nuys.

Temperatures were expected to remain in the 100s in the San Fernando Valley but diminish by 5 degrees by week's end, according to the National Weather Service.

The Agua Dulce fire broke out about 2 p.m. and burned five structures, as 20 mph gusts fanned flames fought by 350 firefighters, a Canadian SuperScooper bomber, an Erickson Helitanker and four smaller choppers.

Residents of rural Agua Dulce gathered their families, grabbed pets, photographs, keepsakes and fled as flames stormed through neighborhoods marked by dirt roads and ranch houses.

No injuries were reported.

North of Castaic, a line of 150 fighters saved the remote Paradise Ranch mobile home park from a second fire. The fire was sparked by a burning big rig on the nearby Golden State Freeway that spread to 300 acres of brush and forest.

That fire forced the closure of the busy I-5 at Lake Hughes Road, backing up traffic about three miles. Two lanes had reopened by 5 p.m.

Hours before the Wednesday fires, Los Angeles officials stood on a sizzling runway at Van Nuys airport to celebrate the arrival and demonstration of their latest firefighting aircraft.

The mammoth planes - two CL-415 amphibious SuperScoopers and two Erickson Aircrane Helitanker choppers - were leased ahead of schedule by city and county fire departments during the country's worst fire season in 50 years.

The Los Angeles fire season, which starts in June and normally heats up next month when dusty Santa Anas blow offshore, extends through February. Fire hazard conditions are high, according to Los Angeles County fire inspectors.

``These aircraft are a very critical part of the arsenal for firefighting in the region,'' said County Supervisor Zev Yaroslovsky. ``There may be no place in the world like Los Angeles'' - with millions of residents surrounded by acres of mountainous brush.

The arrival of the planes renew debate over whether firefighting agencies should lease or buy firefighting aircraft and who should pay for them.

For its fifth year, the Los Angeles County Fire Department leased two SuperScoopers - including pilots and crew - from the Province of Quebec for $1.5 million for 90 days.

The cost of a new one: $25 million.

The 67-foot turbo-props can drop 1,600 gallons of foam or water in one sweep, but have trouble navigating narrow canyons, fire official say. The Helitankers, on the other hand, hold 2,500 gallons of water and can drop their loads into any crevasse.

Los Angeles city and county fire departments eachleased one Erickson Aircrane for $900,000 for 90 days. Cost new: $15.5 million.

The city, which leased the aircraft for the first time this season, is studying whether to buy either the 88-foot-long helicopter. The request was made by Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski.

She and other officials will meet with Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl, D- Encino, in three weeks to discuss state funding for a firefighting plane shared by many Southern California cities.

``We think the state should pick up (the tab), because this would be a regional solution for Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and some inland counties,'' said Richard Popper, deputy for budget and finance for the Yaroslovsky's office.

``It would be a year-round solution for Southern California.''

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) A sheriff's deputy keeps a Shady Lane resident from going to her fire-threatened home.

(2 -- color) A newly arrived SuperScooper drops water above a house in Agua Dulce.

(3 -- color) Sandy Dawson, facing, and friend Colleen Howard embrace Wednesday after barely escaping a wildfire on Shady Lane.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

(4 -- color) Los Angeles County fire crews escape shooting flames along the Golden State Freeway in Castaic.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Map: SANTA CLARITA VALLEY FIRES

Reuben J. Stern/Staff Artist