Tobias Peak | CalFire

By

Julie Giyer

Aug 25, 2021

UPDATE: 8/24/21 8:20 p.m.

The Kernville Union School District’s Facebook pages reports: Due to the French Fire and the evacuation orders, the District is cancelling school for all KUSD schools tomorrow. Please be safe.

UPDATE: 8/24/21 at 7:30 p.m.

Breaking: Classes at Wallace Elementary School have been canceled indefinitely, pending the status of the fire.

This is an update to previous ReadyKern messages concerning the French Fire in the Kern River Valley. The fire still poses an imminent threat to Wofford Heights, Calgary Drive and Pala Ranches. In addition, there is an update to the new Evacuation Warning area. The following information is complete at the time of this message.

The areas of Wofford Heights, Calgary Drive and Pala Ranches are still under an imminent threat from the French Fire. RESIDENTS WHO REMAINED IN THE AREA AFTER THE EVACUATION ORDER WAS ISSUED SHOULD LEAVE NOW. THIS IS YOUR FINAL NOTIFICATION.

In addition, the new Evacuation Warning area was updated to add the community of Riverkern, both east and west of the Kern River. The previously described area of along Burlando Road north of the current evacuation zone, including the Big Blue Mine area, west of the Kern River, to the Kern-Tulare County line, is unchanged.

An Evacuation Warning means that the French Fire is a potential threat to life and/or property, and all residents are advised to be prepared to leave the area at a moment’s notice if it becomes necessary. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock, should leave now.

All previous Evacuation Orders and Warnings are unchanged.

Update: 8/24/21 6:58 p.m.

The French Fire has reached 19,502 acres with 19% containment. A new evacuation WARNING has been added for Kernville, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

The existing evacuation ORDER covers Alta Sierra, Pala Ranches, Shirley Meadows, Wagy Flats and Wofford Heights.

View the interactive map for warnings and closures.

A virtual community meeting will be held tomorrow at 6 pm on Facebook Live regarding the fire.

ROADS AND TRAILS CLOSURE (FOREST ORDER NO. 0513-21-25): Sequoia National Forest - Kern River and Western Divide Ranger Districts French Fire Area.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF The Keysville Special Recreation Management Area remains in effect.

Update: 8/24/21 6 p.m.

Highway 155 from Lake Isabella to Wofford Heights is now closed.

Update: 8/24/21 4:35 p.m.

Imminent Threat to Wofford Heights, Calgary Drive, and Pala Ranches -plus- new Evacuation Warning.

The areas of Wofford Heights, Calgary Drive, and Pala Ranches are now under an imminent threat from the French Fire. RESIDENTS WHO REMAINED IN THE AREA AFTER THE EVACUATION ORDER WAS ISSUED SHOULD LEAVE NOW. THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING.

In addition, a new Evacuation Warning was issued for the following area:

Along Burlando Road north of the current evacuation zone, including the Big Blue Mine area, west of the Kern River, to the Kern-Tulare County line.

Update: 8/24/21 7:34 a.m.

The fire reaches 16,002 acres with a 19% containment. Evacuation orders still in effect.

Update: 8/23/21 8:29 p.m.

The fire reaches 15,173 acres with a 15% containment. Evacuation orders still in effect.

Update: 8/23/21 10:30 a.m.

This announcement is on behalf of the United States Postal Service in my capacity as the Officer-in-Charge of the Lake Isabella Post Office.

All mail due to be delivered in Wofford Heights 93285 starting today will be made available at the Weekend Service door in the Lake Isabella Post Office to customers. Identification will be required to claim the mail for your residence or Post Office Box.

Mail delivered prior to today, August 23rd 2021 will not be available as we do not have safe access to the facility at 6336 Wofford Blvd.

We thank you for your understanding and will resume normal services when the evacuation order has been lifted.

If you have any questions, please contact us via phone at (760) 379-2553 or in person at 6441 Lake Isabella Blvd.

Questions posted in the comment section will not be responded to in an official capacity.

Update: 8/23/21 8:30 a.m.

Average burned had reached 14,773 with a containment of 15%. Evacuation orders still remain in effect.

Update: 8/22/21 8 p.m.

All of Wofford Heights now under evacuation orders. Average burned had reached 13,816 and is still at 10% containment.

Update: 8/22/21 6:37 p.m.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Department assists Kern County Fire Department with an evacuation order for the town of Wofford Heights starting at Black Canyon Trail and where it connects to Calgary Drive East up to Wofford Blvd to the Sequoia Forrest boundary south to Old Stare Rd. It is a mandatory evacuation. For emergency assistance Call 1-800-861-3110 or for immediate emergency assistant call 911.

Update: 8/22/21 8 a.m.

The current acreage burned has reached 13,341. Containment is now at 10%.

Clinica Sierra Vista has temporarily closed its location in the Kern River Valley at 67 Evans Road in Wofford Heights until further notice due to concerns related to the French Fire burning in the area.

Update: 8/21/21 9:36 p.m.

The following areas have been upgraded from Evacuation Warning to an Evacuation Order:

The communities of Pala Ranches and Calgary extending east to Black Canyon Trail and north to the Forest Boundary. All previously issued Evacuation Warnings remains in effect. Wofford Heights remains under an Evacuation Warning.

Update 8/21/21 12:32 p.m.

Today, crews are working early to get fire retardant around Shirley Creek, allowing crews to go direct when conditions allow. Crews have been successful in building direct line and holding the fire from the Willow Flat area along the northeast and southeast perimeter. Crews will continue to scout and construct direct line. Crews will continue working on structure protection in Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock and Dutch Flat communities.

Early last night, crews were able to get fire retardant on the south edge of the fire that held, allowing crews to do mop up. There was fire growth in the north near Rancheria Road. Crews continued to do defensive firing tactics around Shirley Peak.

A recording of last night’s virtual meeting can be viewed on the Sequoia National Forest facebook.com/SequoiaNF and Kern County Fire Department facebook.com/kerncountyfire Facebook pages.

Weather:

Today has the potential for more active fire behavior with 10-15 mph winds from the west/northwest. In the afternoon, winds are expected to reach gusts of 20 mph.

Evacuation Orders and Warnings: facebook.com/readykern

The following areas are currently under an Evacuation Order:

• West of the Sequoia National Forest border and south of Highway 155 east to where it turns into Old State Road. The Evacuation Order extends to Lake Isabella Reservoir and follows Highway 155 to Keyesville south. On the west side, it extends south to Rancho Road and follows east to where it turns into Black Gulch. This order includes Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock, Dutch Flat, Isabella Highlands, Wagy Flat, and Keyesville north and south.

The following areas are currently under an Evacuation Warning:

• South of the Tulare County border to Cane Peak and east of the Sequoia National Forest border to Black Mountain. This also includes east of Cane Peak to Burlando Road and south of Cane Peak to Old State Road0

• Highway 178 to include Black Gulch north residents.

• Black Gulch residents are advised that the Keyesville Road could be overcome by smoke and/or fire. If that happens, Black Gulch residents may have no way out of the area, if they choose to leave. Please plan accordingly.

If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1-855-264-6565.

If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 211. If you have physical limitations or require evacuation assistance, call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1-855-264-6565.

Update 8/21/21 10:37 a.m.

Late yesterday, California Incident Management Team 12 assumed command of the multiagency battle against the French Fire, which had spread to 11,295 acres with 5% containment.

Team 12 took command as strong winds steered the blaze toward Lake Isabella. A total of 809 personnel were in the field, combining responses from the Kern County Fire Department, CalFire, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Sequoia National Forest.

Later in the evening the fire pushed back to the east direction and crews were able to get a line in on Sawmill Road.

Today crews will continue to build on the progress from yesterday and go direct on the fire when safe. There are two structure protection units in the Highland and Dutch Flat area that will continue to create containment lines. Due to hazard on a collapsed culvert on Sawmill Road, a new division has been added to the fire to help with firefighter safety.

PLEASE NOTE: The evacuation center has been moved to Woodrow Wallace Elementary School, 3240 Erskine Creek Road, Lake Isabella. Animal Services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center.

A link to the map of the French Fire Evacuation Zone is available on the ReadyKern Facebook page at Facebook.com/ReadyKern.

Evacuation Order:

West of the Sequoia Forest border and south of Highway 155 east to where it turns into Old State Road. The Evacuation Order extends to Lake Isabella Reservoir and follows Highway 155 to Keyesville South. On the west side, it extends south to Rancho Road and follows east to where it turns into Black Gulch. This order includes Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock, Dutch Flat, Isabella Highlands, Wagy Flat, and Keyesville North and South.

An Evacuation Order means that the French Fire is an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to leave now and seek shelter away from the fire area. The area is lawfully closed to public access. An Evacuation Order will likely be the last order given.

Evacuation Warning:

Rancheria Road east to Wofford Boulevard, between State Route 155 south to Old State Road. The Black Gulch area, north of Highway 178.

South of the Tulare County border to Cane Peak and east of the Sequoia Forest border to Black Mountain. This also includes east of Cane Peak to Burlando Road and south of Cane Peak to Old State Road -AND-

Highway 178 to include Black Gulch North residents.

Black Gulch residents are advised that the Keyesville Road could be overcome by smoke and/or fire. If that happens, Black Gulch residents may have no way out of the area if they choose to leave. Please plan accordingly.

UPDATE: 8/20/21 2:00 p.m.

Attention: Residents in the Kern River Valley who have evacuated due to the #FrenchFire. If you have animals that were left behind, please contact Kern County Animal Services at 661-868-7100. They have personnel ready to assist you and your pets.

UPDATE: 8/20/21 12 p.m.

Law enforcement responds with a code 3 in evacuation of Shirley Meadows and Alta Sierra.

UPDATE: 8/20/21 8:26 a.m.

French Fire- Update #3- Evacuation order still in effect. The fire has burned 4,272 acres with 5% containment.

UPDATE: 8/19/21 7:39 p.m.

French Fire - Update #2 - Evacuation Order Added.

The area of the new Evacuation Order is as follows:

Keyesville south, from the intersection of Black Gulch Road and Forest Route 26S06, continuing east to Highway 155.

UPDATE: 8/19/21 7 p.m.

The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing an emergency closure of the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area in Kern County, due to wildland fire danger from the nearby French Fire. This temporary closure is effective immediately, until further notice.

Affected Area: Keysville Special Recreation Management Area. It is approximately 10,915 acres and located North of the town of Lake Isabella, CA, from the junction of Hwy 178 and Hwy 155 to Elizabeth Norris Rd and Hwy 155. The recreation area is in Kern County.

The French Fire started Wednesday, Aug. 18, and has burned 3,223 acres of short grass, brush and timber understory west of Lake Isabella. The BLM, Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Department are in Unified Command battling the blaze, which is 0% contained.

Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect. The public is strongly advised to follow evacuation guidance. Have a full tank of gas; gather important documents, medications and family photographs, so you can leave when necessary. Monitor fire activity at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7813/. No structure is worth risking human life.

UPDATE 8/19/21 12:30 p.m.

Kern County officials have upgraded the previous Evacuation Order to an Evacuation Warning in response to the growing danger from the French Fire.

The French Fire may become a threat to the area near Wofford Heights. The following area near Wofford Heights is now under an Evacuation Warning:

Rancheria Road east to Wofford Boulevard, between Highway 155 south to Old State Road.

An Evacuation Warning means that the French Fire is a potential threat to life and/or property, and all residents are advised to be prepared to leave the area at a moment’s notice if it becomes necessary. Those requiring additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock, should leave now.

The following area remains under an Evacuation Order:

Wagy Flat Road east to Isabella Lake, between Old State Road south to Keyesville.

An Evacuation Order means that the French Fire is an immediate threat to life. An Evacuation Order is a lawful order to leave now and seek shelter away from the fire area. The area is lawfully closed to public access. An Evacuation Order will likely be the last order given.

An evacuation center has been set up at the Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella. Animal Services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center.

You should also monitor your local media for updated information about the evacuation.

If you have physical limitations and require evacuation assistance, please call the Aging & Adult Services hotline at 1-855-264-6565.

If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions about the content of this message, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 2-1-1. Thank you.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m.

As of 10:30 a.m., officials said the French Fire had burned approximately 3,223 acres in the Sawmill area. According to InciWeb, the fire is exhibiting extreme behavior and being managed by an interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team. Under command are the Bureau of Land Management, Sequoia National Forest and the Kern County Fire Department.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Department asks that you heed evacuation warnings, have a full tank of gas, gather important documents and medications and be ready to leave at a moments notice.

It is at 0% containment, Kern County Fire reported. Although the department did not verify the destruction of any structures, social media photos posted overnight showed numerous buildings engulfed in flames.

The fire was first reported at approximately 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Sawmill Road and Wagy Flat.

Firefighters and multiple aircraft were on the scene overnight. High winds up to 44 mph in a heavy timber area on Wednesday made the fire harder to contain.

Evacuation orders remain in place for the Sawmill area, and an evacuation center has been set up at the Kern River Valley Senior Center, 6403 Lake Isabella Road.

Evacuating residents are encouraged to bring the following for each member of their family: prescription and other emergency medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. Additionally, special items for children and infants, like diapers, formulas and toys, should be brought along with other items for family members who may have other needs.

Kern Valley Sun will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

If you have a story or photo to share about this fire, email us at editor@kvsun.com.