A rapid inter-agency response held a mid-morning fire on 'Antenna Hill' near Camp 9 to approximately 14 acres. "This morning's fire, which started about 9:30, is under investigation because it started to close to the road," said Debbie Santiago, BLM Prevention Battalion Chief. "Kern County Fire arson investigators will assist us with that."

Santiago said it was fortunate  that the fire broke out when it did. "We had the personnel and resources we needed nearby," she said. "It was definitely an inter-agency response. Kern County Fire Department helicopter 408 and (US Forest Service) helicopter 523 had easy access to water; that was a big help, and we had an air tanker. Without that air support, we could not have gotten such a good jump on it."

(Use arrows above to view more photos)