CALIENTE, Calif. | At approximately 12:05 p.m., the Kern County Fire Department received a report of a vegetation fire in the area of Caliente Bodfish Road, just east of the town of Caliente. The fire was determined to be burning north of the railroad tracks, in the vicinity of Caliente Bodfish Road and Bena Road.

The first-arriving Kern County Fire Department units worked diligently to establish access to the fire’s edge despite challenging terrain. Once access was gained, crews initiated an aggressive initial attack by establishing an anchor point and flanking both sides of the fire to limit its spread.

The initial fire was estimated at approximately 5 acres, burning in light to moderate annual grass with a moderate to rapid rate of spread. Due to the fire’s potential for rapid growth, multiple air resources were requested and assigned. Air operations included four helicopters, including Kern County Fire Department Helicopters 409 and 407, along with five air tankers that provided continuous retardant and water-dropping operations in support of ground personnel.  

Three bulldozers were dispatched and responded to assist with line construction and containment efforts. Ground resources included 3 fire engines, 8 4x4 patrols along with Kern County Fire Department Crews 9, 12 and 13, who worked together to strengthen containment lines and support suppression operations.

Through the coordinated efforts of ground and air resources, an aggressive initial attack was established, significantly reducing the fire’s potential for further spread to nearby communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.  Fire crews will remain on scene through the evening to strengthen containment lines around the perimeter and extinguish hot spots. Fire acreage going into the evening is estimated at 2000 acres with 5% containment.