Blaze follows fire alert

GLENDALE — Glendale firefighters extinguished a small grass fire Friday afternoon along the northbound Glendale (2) Freeway, following several fire and extreme-heat warnings issued for this weekend, officials said.

The 200-by-200-foot fire started about 12:32 p.m. and blackened light grass on the freeway hillside, Glendale Fire Capt. Stuart Stefani said.

Six engines and a battalion chief were assigned to the blaze, which was quickly extinguished, he said.

A Sigalert was issued about 1 p.m. and shut down Mountain Street for 45 minutes as fire crews worked on cleanup, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The blaze comes after the National Weather Service issued a fire watch Friday for this weekend, which is expected to be hot, dry and windy.

Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees by Sunday in Glendale, Burbank and La Crescenta. The mercury is forecast to climb into the low 100s early next week.

The fire watch will be in effect through Monday for the valleys and mountains, where humidity is expected to dip into the single digits, with wind gusts of up to 35 mph.

The combination of low humidity, strong northeast winds, high temperatures and dry vegetation increases the fire danger, according to the weather agency.

Stefani said the Fire Department would continue routine operations this weekend.

"It's business as usual," he said.

The Fire Department slightly shifts its operations when the weather agency issues the more serious red-flag warning due to extreme fire conditions.

During those warnings, the department adds a firefighter to Engine 29, which is normally staffed with three firefighters, Stefani said.

This weekend's high temperatures prompted the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to issue heat warnings to residents.

"While people don't need to be told it's hot outside, they do need to be reminded to take care of themselves, children, the elderly and pets when the weather gets hotter," public health director Jonathan E. Fielding said in a statement.

The county advised residents to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and remain in cool places when temperatures peak.