The Brief

PHOENIX - A recent fire at the second-largest oil refinery in Southern California is fueling a spike in gas prices across the Southwest, defying the typical seasonal fall decline.

What we know:

On Oct. 6, premium gasoline prices in the Phoenix area surpassed $4 a gallon, while the national average hovered around $3.20. In the Phoenix metro area, a gallon of unleaded sat at about $3.85, with premium reaching $4.50.

Unlike previous years, when gas prices typically rise in the spring and fall in the autumn, this year’s prices are up nearly 50 cents compared to a year ago.

Driver, Malik Hampton, watched the price tick higher as he filled his tank.

"It seems to me that every time the weather gets nice, the gas goes up. There’s an oil refinery fire or they shut down for

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