Scientists have discovered a three acre "hotspot" in Los Padres National Forest in Southern California. Ground temperatures in that area run as high as 400 degrees, with one spot 11 feet underground at an unbelievable 584 degrees. The hotspot is located in the Dick Smith Wilderness (map) and was discovered after it started a forest fire last year.

Most volcanic vents run at about 200 degrees, so top scientists who have been called in are stumped. So far they've eliminated oil, gas, or coal deposits, and there have been no loud bangs or earthquakes in that area. However, they have not ruled out it being related to seismic activity in some way.

A few years ago I hiked up both Sawmill Mountain (highest point in Kern County) and Mt. Pinos (highpoint of Ventura County). Both of those are in this Forest, albeit not in the same area. I didn't write up those reports, because what I saw there... well...

Although the article did not mention it, my sources inform me that another, much more worrying possibility has not been ruled out. Namely, that this could be due to a crashed space alien ship's power supply. Meanwhile, boffo baffins continue digging for clues...