Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

A vegetation fire was reported Wednesday, July 22, at 1:32 p.m. southwest of the Auxiliary Dam in Lake Isabella. The “Lake Fire” burned approximately 61 acres, according to BLM Fire Prevention Battalion Chief Debbie Santiago. The majority of the fire burned in SRA (State Responsibility Area), under the jurisdiction of Cal Fire, while six acres of Forest Service land was affected, Santiago said.

The fire burned in a north/northeast direction and officials say it was contained with a couple of hours. “The weather conditions were favorable and firefighters are able to secure the fire’s edge quickly,” said Geri Adams, Supervisory Information Assistant for the Kern River Ranger District.

Firefighters work to extinguish the Lake fire which burned near the Auxiliary Dam. The fire was contained within a couple of hours.

Firefighters from Kern County, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management, including nine fire engines, two hand crews, six patrols, two helicopters, one air tanker, one air attack, one dozer, two water tenders, and miscellaneous overhead, battled the blaze, reported Adams.

Residents and travelers going through the area behind the Auxiliary Dam near Barlow Road and Ponderosa Drive experienced brief traffic delays.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.