Firefighters are working to contain a wildfire that started Friday morning in Kern County, according to authorities.
The Sherwood Fire started around 10:15 a.m. in the area north of Sherwood Avenue and Famoso-Woody Road, east of Highway 65 and north of Bakersfield, according to Cal Fire. The fire was 20% contained by 2 p.m., by which time it had grown to 373 acres.
An evacuation warning was issued for the area north of Famoso Road and Famoso-Woody Road, south of Garces Highway, east of Porterville Highway and west of Bakersfield-Glennville Road.
The fire has burned dry grass and hills, spreading at a moderate speed that has been fueled by wind, according to Jon Drucker, public information officer for the Kern County Fire Department. There were several homes in the path of the fire; one was considered at risk and firefighters were at the house to try to protect him.
The fire's progress was stopped before it reached the house, Drucker said.
According to Drucker, crews plan to spend the night working on the smoldering portions of the ground within the blackened area.
“As long as they're working here, they'll keep an eye on it and we'll have a fire watch all night and into the morning,” he added.
Firefighters are battling the fire with the help of planes flying from Porterville, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Carlos Molina. Temperatures were around 70 degrees Friday afternoon, with northwest winds between 10 and 12 mph.
“As the smoke rises, it pushes everything to the southwest in that area,” Molina said. “Because the winds are not too strong right now, [firefighters are] control the fire well.”
Temperatures are expected to rise an additional 10 to 15 degrees between Friday afternoon and Sunday, meaning they could reach the mid-80s, Molina said. Relative humidity will also drop between 15% and 19% until Sunday.
“As conditions get a little worse, they may not be favorable for putting out the fire,” he added.
Molina recommended area residents pay attention to officials and local authorities and leave the area if an evacuation order is issued. Not only will it keep people safe, he said, but it will also allow firefighters to focus on fighting the fire instead of performing rescues.
