Cindy Thill, Public Affairs Officer - Kern River Ranger District

More than 160 firefighters responded to a wildfire that ultimately consumed 385 acres June 7 along Highway 178, in the lower Kern Canyon, near Richbar.

On Saturday, the 'Richbar' fire was reported at approximately 10:18 a.m. Fire fighting personnel, from the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Kern County Fire Department responded.

One of the three helicopters working the Richbar Fire picks up water from the Kern River Saturday.

Four air tankers, three helicopters, four hand crews and three engines were on scene of the fire which burned in grass and brush on the north side of the river.

Members of the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Search and Rescue Unit, who are specially trained in swift-water rescue, assisted Bakersfield City Fire, Kern County Fire, and the United States Forest Service in their fire fighting efforts as the rafts were used to assist in ferrying Kern County and Bakersfield City utilized rafts to shuttle firefighters across the river. Fourteen Search and Rescue volunteers assisted in the effort.

Incident Commander, Jim Bauer stated, 'The fire burned at a rapid rate of spread under windy conditions. No structures were threatened however; we would like to take this opportunity to remind homeowners hazard reduction clearances are due by June 9th.'

The 385-acre Richbar Fire was contained at 8:00 p.m., Saturday night due to the rapid response of local Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and Kern County firefighters.

According to fire managers all resources have been released and the fire is now in patrol status. The interior of the fire will continue to experience hot spots with occasional smokes. Control status may be another week out. Informational signs are posted along Highway 178 regarding the status of the fire.

The fire is human-caused and under investigation.

Lt. David Barker, Kern County Sheriff's Office Volunteer Services contributed to this story.