SAN DIEGO -- War fears sent gasoline prices rising in Southern California for the fourth consecutive week this week, driving them to summer-2001 levels in some areas, the Automobile Club of Southern California reported Friday.

The average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area was $1.642 per gallon Friday -- $0.007 more than last week, 11 cents more than last month, and 45 cents more than at this time last year, according to the Auto Club.

The average price in San Diego was $1.70 -- 1.4 cents more than last week, 10 cents more than last month and 40 cents more than last year, the Auto Club reported.

"Uncertainties of fuel supplies brought on by war fears continue to cause prices to increase. Unless the current situation changes, prices likely will continue their upward movement," Auto Club spokeswoman Carol Thorp said.