Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

Shortly after 10:00 p.m., Sept 29, personnel and equipment from Kern County Fire Stations 71, 72, and 76 responded to a report of a grass fire approximately three miles east of Hwy 178 on Kelso Valley Road in Weldon.

When fire crews arrived on the scene, they found a large area – approximately five acres – of burning grass. A wildland fire response was launched and firefighters from the US Forest Service were dispatched to help fight the wind-whipped flames. Winds, estimated at 25 mph, pushed the fire into an area covered with large trees and heavy vegetation, said Sean Collins of the Kern County Fire Department. Crews made an initial attack on the fire and prevented it from spreading into an alfalfa field, Collins said, adding that burning embers started a spot fire across the highway, but it was extinguished quickly. “Fire crews did a great job of containing the fire to approximately 16 acres,” Collins said, “and preventing any spread to the south side of the highway, where the community of Onyx was in the fire's path.”

Approximately 60 firefighters fought the fire. Crews remained on scene throughout the night to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.