TEJON, Calif., At approximately 7:10 p.m. on August 3, 2023, Kern County firefighters were dispatched to a report of a fire on the hillside just south of Laval Rd along southbound Interstate 5. The first arriving fire equipment found a brush fire 1-2 acres in size. Additional patrols and crews were quickly added to the response. Air resources, including KCFD H-407, assisted the resources on the ground. 

Firefighter's work was made difficult due to incredibly steep terrain with rocks and debris being dislodged around them as they worked. The falling rocks also created a safety issue for traffic on the interstate. A request was made for CHP to shut down several lanes of traffic to protect travelers in their vehicles. In spite of the dangerous working conditions, firefighters were able to successfully construct fireline around the fire and stop the fire's forward march. 

Though forward progression has been stopped, an accurate acreage cannot be obtained until firefighters can access the fire's perimeter in daylight. As of 10 p.m. the approximate size of the fire was 10 acres. Fire personnel are expected to work through the night to increase containment percentage and extinguish hot spots.