On this day in…
2006: Lightning sparked the Sawtooth Fire near Morongo Valley and the Millard Fire near Banning. The Sawtooth Fire burned 62,000 acres, caused considerable damage in Pioneertown and killed a man. The Millard Fire burned 24,000 acres.
2002: It was 101° in Idyllwild, the highest temperature on record and the earliest date with a 100-degree reading of the season (the latest 100-degree reading of the season occurred on 7.18.1960, making a window of only ten days). This all-time high also occurred on 7.17.1960.

source: NWS