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CALIENTE — Firefighters were battling a fast-moving vegetation fire Thursday afternoon near Caliente that had grown to approximately 50 acres and was threatening structures, according to reports from the scene.
The Walker Fire was reported shortly after 1:19 p.m. near Caliente Bodfish Road and Walser Road. By 1:28 p.m., Watch Duty reported the fire was burning on flat ground east of Caliente Bodfish Road and moving from south to north.
Incident commanders reported structures were threatened and requested traffic control on Caliente Bodfish Road between Walser Road and Indian Springs Road.
A large response was dispatched, including engines, hand crews, bulldozers, water tenders and aircraft. Multiple Kern County Fire Department resources were assigned to the incident along with supporting ground and air units.
Images from the ALERTCalifornia camera network showed a substantial smoke column rising from the fire area Thursday afternoon.
No evacuations had been announced as of press time, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or damaged structures.
The fire is burning in a rural area of eastern Kern County near communities that were impacted by recent major wildfires, including the 2024 Borel Fire.
The Kern Valley Sun will update this story as additional information becomes available.
