Highway Fire Continues to Grow

Release Date: Jun 20, 2017

Contact(s): Cindy Thill

KERNVILLE, Calif., June 19, 2017 – The Highway Fire, on the Kern River Ranger District, continues to burn into a second day.  The Fire was reported at approximately 2:22 yesterday afternoon, Sunday, June 18, 2017, burning on Forest Service land, located off Highway 178, west of Borel Road.  The cause of the Highway Fire is under investigation.

The Highway Fire is burning in a north to northeast direction and has presently burned 1,541 acres.  The increase in acreage overnight has reduced the containment to 10%.

South Central Sierra Team (Mills) has been ordered and will be taking command of the fire.

Black Gulch south and north are both closed and have been evacuated.  Pending areas closures towards Rancheria Road should be expected.

Over 400 firefighting personnel are on scene from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Kern County Fire Department.  Assisting the effort are resources from the by California Highway Patrol, California Department of Transportation and Kern County Sheriff.

Resources on scene include 6 air tankers, 4 air attack planes, 5 helicopters, 13 hand crews, 20 engines, 2 water tenders, and 4 dozers.  Personnel from the Bureau of Land Management and Kern County Fire Department are assisting the U.S. Forest Service in fire suppression activities. Additional resources are on order.

Special concerns are for fire fighter and public safety.  The Forest Service has asked the public to be aware of dipping sites on Isabella Lake and the Lower Kern River.  It is extremely dangerous to be under the aircraft and in the path of the helicopter water bucket loads.

If utilizing the Old Kern Canyon Road, be aware of the congestion and the large boulder in the eastbound lane.  Please use caution.

Further updates will be released as the incident develops.

For further information, please call the Kernville Ranger Station at (760) 376-3781.