As of Wednesday morning's briefing, the Bull fire has more than tripled in size to 15,586 acres.

Containment remains at five percent. The fire is believed to be human caused and is under investigation.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 reported the fire continued to burn in grass and brush on both sides of the Kern River, north of Kernville. Yesterday, crews working on the northern flank of the fire, to the west of the Kern River, were pulled back due to a significant increase in fire activity. However, efforts to construct fire line along the southern perimeter were successful, and crews worked through the night to strengthen these lines. Crews also worked through the night to clean up islands of unburned fuels between the river and Mountain Highway 99.

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An airtanker drops fire retardant on the Bull fire above Kernville Monday.

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Today, Wednesday, crews will construct fire line directly along the southern, south-western and south-eastern perimeter of the fire’s edge. Air support will be provided for all resources working on the ground. Mop up activities will continue around structures in Kernville and Riverkern, to ensure that no hot spots remain around these areas. Increased winds may occur over the fire area today, with a slight possibility of afternoon thunderstorms.

More than 1,100 personnel, comprised of 59 hand crews, 63 engines, one dozer, seven water tenders, and 12 helicopters, are currently assigned to the Bull fire.

Two injuries have been reported. Kern County Sheriff’s Department allowed residents of Riverkern and Camp Owens to return to their residences Wednesday morning at 8:00.

Mountain Highway 99 remains closed from Headquarters Campground to Brush Creek.

Further information may be obtained by calling the Forest Service's Kernville office at (760) 376-3781 or on the Internet at: www.inciweb.org