4:01PM PRESS RELEASES
KERNVILLE, Calif. | At 10:45 a.m. today, firefighters were dispatched following reports of a fire south of the Kernville Airport. Upon arrival, crews from the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) discovered multiple roadside fires. KCFD personnel initiated firefighting efforts while additional units from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) also arrived.
During the initial response, two Good Samaritans stopped to offer vital information to firefighters, revealing that an individual was observed igniting additional fires further down the road. This critical information prompted immediate requests for law enforcement assistance and alerts were broadcasted across fire command radio channels to ensure personnel were aware of the dangerous situation nearby.
Significant progress in controlling the fires was achieved through the combined efforts of the KCFD and USFS. Firefighters worked tirelessly, hiking up steep hillsides, extending hose lines, and constructing control lines using hand tools. Aerial support from multiple CAL FIRE, USFS, and KCFD aircraft was instrumental, with precisely targeted water and retardant drops aiding ground operations.
As containment efforts continued, officers from the California Highway Patrol and Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office apprehended the suspect, identified as Jamal Iokepa Buyuan of Pahala, Hawaii. KCFD Arson Investigators subsequently arrested Buyuan on eight counts of Arson of Forest Land (PC 451c). Additional charges may be filed by other assisting agencies.
Thanks to the swift and coordinated response by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Kern County Fire Department, the forward progress of the fire was halted at approximately 88 acres. This rapid containment showcases the extraordinary teamwork and dedication of all agencies involved.
