CORONA, Calif. (AP) -- Lower temperatures and diminishing wind aided firefighters Wednesday as they battled flames that have forced thousands of people to evacuate at the earlier-than-usual start of what promises to be a dangerous wildfire season.
As of Wednesday, major blazes had blackened some 19,075 acres of tinder-dry grass and brush this week.
The two biggest blazes, both in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, had destroyed more than 30 structures, including more than a dozen homes. A fire also was out of control up the coast in Santa Barbara County, but a blaze near the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton in San Diego County was contained.
Officials said the season's first wildfires burned with an intensity usually not seen until late summer, portending an especially dangerous and costly summer.
``It's like gasoline burning up there in these mountains,'' fire Capt. Mark Miller said in Riverside County.
Recreational areas may have to be closed during this year's peak fire season, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein. She said it could be one of the worst seasons on record, coming on the heels of last year's record wildfires that killed 22 people in Southern California and burned 3,600 homes.
``In areas that are catastrophic prone, they really ought to restrict human use or human travel, to the extent that it can be done,'' she said.
The California fire season went into effect Monday, three weeks earlier than last year because of dry weather and a tree-killing bark beetle infestation.
Fire officials hoped cooler weather and diminished wind in the next few days would help crews gain ground on the blazes. High temperatures in the 80s were forecast Wednesday and Thursday, compared with readings over 100 during the weekend.
``We're getting a little cool weather, and we're making some headway with bulldozers and hand crews,'' California Department of Forestry spokesman Steve Rahn said.
The largest blaze, the Cerrito Fire, had spread across more than 11,000 acres between Corona and Lake Elsinore, prompting the evacuation of more than 1,000 people. Six structures were destroyed and seven firefighters suffered minor injuries. About 1,000 homes and 12 commercial buildings were threatened.
It was just 30 percent contained Wednesday.
A man was accused of negligently setting the blaze. Richard Drew Brown was arrested Monday for investigation of two felony counts, fire Capt. Julie Hutchinson said. Witnesses told authorities he dragged a large piece of steel behind his vehicle, creating sparks that started several fires.
Homeowners John and Suzie Lynch refused to leave their home although flames came within 20 yards. ``We are not budging,'' said 47-year-old John Lynch. ``I'm sure this is just one of many fires to come.''
``Burning conditions are probably about what we'd expect in late June or July,'' said Rich Green, assistant deputy director of the California Forestry Department. ``It's shaping up to be a very difficult year statewide.''
The 5,000-acre Eagle Fire in Riverside County, about 10 miles south of an area that burned last fall, had destroyed 25 structures, including 14 homes, officials said. Containment was estimated at 30 percent.
``We did catch a break in the weather, which means we did make some real progress during the night,'' CDF Chief Mitch Villapendo told KTLA-TV.
San Diego County fire crews contained a blaze that had charred 2,050 acres near Camp Pendleton. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.
``We've never been burned this bad before,'' said Dick Benjamin, 70, whose home in Riverside County was saved. ``Fires are supposed to be in August and September, not May.''
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