Update 3 pm, June 4 - Walker Fire Reaches 138 Acres Near Caliente; Firefighters Gain 10% Containment, Forward Progress Stopped

CALIENTE — Firefighters stopped the forward spread of the Walker Fire on Thursday after the vegetation fire burned approximately 138 acres near Caliente, according to fire officials.

The fire was reported shortly after 1:19 p.m. near the intersection of Caliente Bodfish Road and Walser Road. Initial reports estimated the fire at 50 acres with structures threatened as flames moved from south to north east of Caliente Bodfish Road.

As crews attacked the fire from the ground and air, the incident grew to 138 acres. Fire officials later reported that forward progress had been stopped and containment had reached 10%.

Kern County Fire Department remains in command of the incident, with assistance from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

A large response was dispatched to the fire, including engines, hand crews, bulldozers, water tenders and aircraft. Traffic control was established along Caliente Bodfish Road between Walser Road and Indian Springs Road as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Smoke from the fire was visible across portions of eastern Kern County, with ALERTCalifornia cameras capturing a large smoke column rising from the area Thursday afternoon.

No injuries or structure losses had been reported as of press time. Fire officials have not yet released a cause for the fire.

Firefighters are expected to remain on scene through the evening, strengthening containment lines and extinguishing hotspots as containment efforts continue.