Two brush fires erupt northeast of Los Angeles; one burning near homes, power lines

AZUSA, Calif. -- Two fires have erupted in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of Los Angeles amid withering heat.

The first fire reported Monday was near Morris Reservoir north of suburban Azusa. Angeles National Forest spokesman Nathan Judy says it has spread over 200 acres.

Azusa police told the areas of Mountain Cove, Ranch Road and Crystal Canyon to evacuate immediately just before 1:30 p.m.

Angeles National Forest spokesman Nathan Judy says helicopters are on the scene and air tankers have been ordered.

The helicopters are sucking water from the reservoir to battle flames climbing steep mountainsides.

A short time later a second fire broke out, called the Fish Fire, in Duarte. By 1 p.m., the fire had grown to 100 acres, according to KTLA.

Flames appeared to be burning near homes and power lines, aerial video form KTLA showed.

Officials say the second blaze was not caused by the first fire because the distance is too great.

Air tankers and helicopters are battling both fires, which are sending towering columns of smoke into the sky.

Temperatures at many locations across the region soared above 100 degrees by mid-morning.

Significant wildfires are also burning elsewhere in Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.