INYOKERN, Calif., Yesterday, August 4th, 2024, at 5:24 p.m. Kern County firefighters were dispatched to reports of a brush fire burning along Hwy 178, several miles west of Hwy 14. Engine 83 arrived on scene to find a 10 acre fire moving with moderate speed and influenced by the wind. A home and multiple other structures resting on a property to the east were directly in the fire’s path. Goals were quickly established and communicated to protect the home and to keep the fire from crossing over the highway. Within minutes, the fire was 50 plus acres and growing. An evacuation order was put in place for the affected area. Structure protection was performed and firefighters successfully kept the fire out of the home and the other outbuildings as the flame front came through. The area was largely without roads or driveable terrain and aircraft were used to begin boxing in the fire. 

The incident occurred on public lands managed by BLM, the Bureau of Land Management. Command of the incident was taken solely by BLM in the late evening hours. All Kern County firefighters were released from the incident early this morning, August 5th. No injuries were reported. For updated incident information, please look to the Bureau of Land Management. 

The evacuation order for the Bella Fire has been lifted. For your increased safety and awareness, sign up at ReadyKern.com and download the Genesys Protect App to be alerted to emergencies affecting your area.