Fish Fire grows to 3,500 acres near Caliente

CALIENTE — The Fish Fire had burned 3,500 acres and was 15% contained Tuesday after spreading rapidly through grassland near Caliente Bodfish and Bena roads, according to the latest National Interagency Fire Center update.

The vegetation fire was reported at about 12:05 p.m. Monday, July 27, near Caliente Bodfish Road, just east of Caliente. The Kern County Fire Department said the fire was burning north of the railroad tracks in steep and difficult terrain.

Evacuation warnings were issued for Kern County zones KRN-100 and KRN-455. No injuries or fatalities were reported in the department’s incident release.

The first Kern County Fire Department units found the fire at about 5 acres, burning through light to moderate annual grass at a moderate to rapid rate of spread, according to department spokesperson Matt Strange.

Crews worked to gain access to the fire’s edge before establishing an anchor point and attacking both sides of the fire. The difficult terrain and potential for rapid growth prompted requests for additional aircraft, bulldozers and ground crews.

Four helicopters, including Kern County Fire Department Helicopters 407 and 409, and five air tankers supported firefighters with water and retardant drops. Night-flying water-dropping helicopters were also requested.

The department initially assigned three engines, eight four-wheel-drive patrol vehicles, three bulldozers, a water tender and hand crews 9, 12 and 13. CAL FIRE and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department were assisting.

Firefighters continued working to strengthen containment lines and extinguish hot spots. The cause remains under investigation.