BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The French Fire continues to burn in a heavily wooded area near Lake Isabella and officials say 7,153 people have fled under evacuation orders. The fire has burned 14,773 acres since Wednesday and evacuation orders have been expanded to include multiple mountain communities.
A total of 17 structures have been destroyed, including nine homes, officials said.
The fire began just after 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 18 near Wagy Flat and Sawmill roads, officials said.
Officials said it is at 15% containment. More than 800 firefighters from across the state have been called to fight the fire. On Sunday, the California Office of Emergency Operations said nearly 4,000 residents have been evacuated.
Officials are expected to provide an update on the fire Monday night. It will be livestreamed on Sequoia National Forest’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. You can also watch the briefing on KGET’s Facebook page and KGET.com.
EVACUATIONS
Evacuation orders:
Information via Ready Kern.
Wofford Heights, starting at Black Canyon Trail where it turns into Calgary Drive east to Burlando Road where it turns to Wofford Boulevard from the Sequoia Forest boundary south to Old State Road.
South of the Tulare County border on the west side, extending south to Rancheria Road and follows east to where it turns into Black Gulch, following Black Gulch where it goes south to Highway 178.
Sequoia Forest boundary to Black Mountain. East to Black Canyon Trail where it turns to Calgary Drive, north to the Sequoia Forest boundary.
Lake Isabella Reservoir and follows Highway 155 to Keyesville. Including communities of Pala Ranches, Shirley Meadows, Alta Sierra, Slick Rock, Dutch Flat, Isabella Highlands, Wagy Flat, Black Gulch, Keyesville north and south.
Evacuation center:
The Red Cross has an evacuation center at Woodrow Wallace Elementary School at 3240 Erskine Creek Road in Lake Isabella. Volunteers will be on hand providing meals, emotional support and other resources, the Red Cross said.
Residents going to the shelter are encouraged to bring any needed prescription and other medication, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents. Diapers, formulas and toys should be brought for children and infants.
Kern County Animal Services said residents who needed to evacuate and left animals behind, can contact the shelter to assist them and their pets. Call 661-868-7100.
Timelapse video of the French Fire as seen from Alta Sierra:
CLOSURES
Highway 155 is closed between Glenville and 2 miles east of Alta Sierra
Highway 155 closed at Sawmill Road and at Calgary Drive.
Rancheria Road at Poso Flat
Old State Road 1.4 miles west of Highway 155.
Burlando Road between Nellie Dent Drive to Highway 155
Keysville Special Recreation Management Area is closed because of wildfire danger, the Bureau of Land Management said.
READY KERN
You can sign up to receive alerts and information from the county by signing up with Ready Kern. Click on this link to register for alerts.
Check back for updates.
