CAJON PASS ABLAZE AS TWO FIRES RAGE.

Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer

Two of the largest brush fires this year erupted Tuesday afternoon in the Cajon Pass on both sides of Interstate 15, forcing the evacuation of residents and destroying a number of structures.

The building heat wave and eruption of fires raised concerns throughout Southern California of what officials have warned could be a season of severe danger because of extremely dry conditions and high vegetation growth.

Hundreds of acres of brush burned out of control Tuesday in the mountain pass between San Bernardino and Victorville.

The larger fire burned more than 1,500 acres 2-1/2 miles east of Interstate 15 near Hesperia and the smaller fire burned more than 100 acres along Lytle Creek 1-1/2 miles west of the interstate.

Smaller brush fires were reported near Lancaster and Diamond Bar.

Bob Collis, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department, said conditions are similar this year to those in 1993 when devastating fires torched 19,000 acres between Calabasas and the Pacific Ocean.

``We've been really lucky,'' said Collis. ``Brush clearance has certainly helped, but there is still no guarantee.''

Collis said the blistering heat Tuesday is similar to what was experienced during the Malibu fires, but the humidity is higher now and the wind hasn't been blowing as hard.

Officials said the wet rainy season caused by El Nino in 1997-98 created a thick brush cover in many areas. Followed by the lower-than-normal rainfall this year, conditions have been set for potentially catastrophic fires.

The larger of the San Bernardino County fires Tuesday started at 2:15 p.m. east of Cajon Pass and quickly consumed more than 1,500 acres of brush as 15-18 mph winds fanned the flames, said Karen McKinley, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service.

``We expect the winds to pick up even more before sundown,'' she said. ``This makes firefighting more dangerous this time of day.''

Fire-retardant-carrying bombers swooped low on runs over the blazes burning in the mountains above the city of San Bernardino.

Homes on Summit Truck Trail were evacuated about 3:15 p.m., said Ruk Read, a spokeswoman for San Bernardino National Forest. The area is home to a few dozen large-acreage properties that include some horse ranches. Officials said a number of sheds, trailers and vehicles had burned.

About 250 firefighters, four air tankers and four helicopters were attacking the fires, attempting to protect homes in Summit Valley.

Officials were concerned the fire might reach a train halted in the pass with cars loaded with hydrochloric acid and lumber.

``The fire is burning in a primary travel route for trains,'' McKinley said.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Ruth Wenstrom said part of the train caught fire, but workers were able to put the fire out and move it before the cars with the loads of acid and wood ignited.

The cause of the larger fire was under investigation.

The smaller fire, west of Cajon Pass, started at 2 p.m. and did not threaten homes Tuesday evening, officials said.

Fire officials believe it was ignited by a vehicle driving over dry grass.

Fire officials in both San Bernardino County and Los Angeles stressed the importance of clearing brush around homes.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued three letters Tuesday intended to clear up confusion about its brush clearance program and an inspection fee that was imposed, suspended and eventually revoked.

The first letter informs property owners who paid the $13 fee that they will be refunded that amount, but informs them that the brush clearance program continues, along with property owners' responsibility to clear their property of vegetation.

Another letter notifies property owners whose land doesn't meet brush fire safety standards of their rights and responsibilities under city law. A landowner who is out of compliance has the right to a hearing with the city attorney and Fire Department, the letter states, but failure to clear land can result in fines and contractors' fees if the city has to clear the land.

The second notice of noncompliance explains specifically what needs to be done, and orders property owners to clear the parcels immediately.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, map

Photo: (1) Flames come close to a home near Hesperia, Calif., on Tuesday.

Steven K. Doi/Associated Press

(2 -- color) Beating the heat

Benjamin McDonough, 2, shrieks with delight as his mother, Denise, sprinkles water over his head as the two cool off at a pool in Portsmouth, N.H. See Page 9.

Ryan Mercer/Portsmouth Herald

Map: San Bernardino National Forest