Incident Report


Andrew Freeborn
Incident Number
Incident tYPE
Incident Narrative
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Thursday morning, the Kern County Emergency Communications Center received reports of a fire on the south side of the Kern River near C.A.L.M. As Bakersfield City Fire resources got close to the reported location, it was determined the fire was actually on the north side of the river in the jurisdiction of the Kern County Fire Department. The response was adjusted to include closer resources to respond to the corrected fire location. While responding, additional reports stated at least one home was on fire with several others directly threatened by the advancing fire. The response was adjusted again to include more fire engines and personnel. When Kern County firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a fire approximately one acre in size moving quickly toward several homes. An evacuation order was requested for the immediate area at risk as well as law enforcement's assistance for traffic control. Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire as well as protecting homes, corrals, and horses. The coordinated efforts from firefighters on the ground and water drops from KCFD H408 stopped the forward progress of the fire quickly and evacuation orders were lifted. Firefighters remained on scene for a time afterward to completely extinguish hot spots and reach 100% containment. The cause is undetermined. The final area burned amounted to 3 acres. No injuries to civilians, livestock, or firefighters were reported on scene. The home reported to be on fire early in the incident was not on fire but rather in close proximity to the active fire.