'White Fire' burns red hot near Oak Creek Canyon
'White Fire' burns red hot near Oak Creek Canyon
By: By Carin Enovijas, Tehachapi News Editor
Description: More than 400 firefighters have zero containment of 6,000 acre blaze
Topics: Fire, Tehachapi, firefighters, smoke
Posted by editor Mon Jun 25, 2007 15:46:05 PDT
Viewed 5618 times
0 responses 4 comments More than 420 firefighters are currently battling the “White Fire,” which has burned more than 6,000 acres between Rosamond and Tehachapi since the wildfire blaze began early Sunday morning, according to Kern County Fire Department’s public information officer on duty, Engineer Michael Nicholas.
The KCFD reports zero containment of the blaze, with brown smoke filling the skies within a 70 mile radius of Mojave.
Fire crews on the scene are protecting structures in Oak Creek Canyon after evacuation began on Sunday night. The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at the Days Inn in Mojave at 16100 Sierra Highway for Oak Creek Canyon residents. No injuries have been reported at this time.
“Perimeter control and structure protection is being hampered by poor access to the incident,” reported Captain Doug Johnston, adding that current weather conditions, consisting of 25-30 mile an hour wind gusts and single digit humidity present an “extreme,” challenge.
“Wind is a terrible thing for fires, but if it wasn’t blowing from the west, it probaby would have gone right over the mountain toward Tehachapi,” said part-time Bear Valley resident Greg Loskorn. Loskorn photographed the fire on his way to Santa Clarita on Sunday morning. “It’s a force of nature not something to be taken lightly.”
At noon today, the KCFD transitioned to a unified command with Cal Fire and the Bureau of Land Management that is currently overseeing the 20 hand crews, 32 engines, four helicopters, six air tankers and eight bulldozers on the scene, Nicholas reported. In addition to the KCFD, responding agencies include the L.A. County Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management and the California Department of Forestry.
As of 2 p.m. on June 25, Willow Springs Road between Backus and Oak Creek Road remains closed.
The fire started just after 8 a.m. on June 24, approximately 10 miles north of Rosamond and West of Tehachapi Willow Springs Road. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:17:03 PDT
as of 7:00pm Monday, the fire is now listed at 9100 acres with 30% containment. There are now 857 personnel fighting this fire.
Tue Jun 26, 2007 04:02:05 PDT
please keep posting updates!!!!!! Im in kentucky keeping a eye on it please keep posting updates i have family close and Im praying for everyone.............
Tue Jun 26, 2007 07:54:02 PDT
What is the status of the fire? We have family and friends in Old West Ranch ...is there risk of the fire coming over the hill? From what we can find in the news it looks like it's moving to the south, southeast of Oak Creek.
Tue Jun 26, 2007 13:45:31 PDT
Thanks for the info really helpful
