Incident Update School Fire
- Date:
- 05/03/2024
- Time:
- 7:03 AM
ON CALL FIRE INFORMATION OFFICER: 1-661-330-0133
Incident Facts
- Name
- School Fire
- Start Date/Time
- 2024-05-03
- Incident Status
- Active
- Location
- Highway 166 and Basic School Road
- Type
- Wildfire
- Cause
- Under Investigation
- Counties
- Kern
- Administration Unit
- Kern County Fire Department
- Unified Command Agency(s)
- Size
- 1,286
- Containment
- 50%
- Structures Threatened
- Structures Destroyed
- Structures Damaged
- Civilian Injuries
- Firefighter Injuries
- Civilian Fatalities
- Firefighter Fatalities
Current Situation
Situation Summary
MARICOPA, Calif., Thursday afternoon, Kern County firefighters were dispatched to reports of a vegetation fire east of Maricopa. It was clear how quickly the fire, being fanned by erratic winds, was increasing in size with each radio update. The first arriving Battalion Chief did not hesitate to order additional resources, which were certainly needed to battle the fast-moving fire. Fire Engines, Helicopters, Dozers, and Airplanes were skillfully used by firefighters to attack the fire as communications teams were sharing details of the Evacuation Warnings declared by the Incident Commander.
The fire posed a threat to natural resources, agriculture, commercial industries, and people alike. Within hours the hard work was rewarded, as the containment had grown and the forward progress of the 1,286-acre fire was nearly stopped. With the smoke dissipating Evacuation Warnings were lifted and crews shifted their focus to increasing and strengthening containment lines. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Firefighters will remain on scene overnight to fully extinguish the fire.
The School Fire is proof that at any time we can experience wildfires in Kern County. All should be preparing now to keep themselves safe. Create defensible space around your home, sign up for ReadyKern messages, assemble go-bags, and preplan escape routes.
Evacuation Zones
Evacuation Information:
Evacuation Warning
- The previous Evacuation Warning near Maricopa, CA has been lifted.
Assigned Resources
Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
- Total Personnel
- 67