Kern County firefighters were battling several wildfires over the weekend, prompting evacuations, burning thousands of acres and closing Interstate 5 in both directions near Lost Hills Sunday night.
The Hurricane Fire, which started Saturday in San Luis Obispo County, had burned 20,000 acres and was 10% contained as of Sunday afternoon, according to a news release from the Kern County Fire Department.
South of Arvin, the Rancho Fire had burned nearly 10,000 acres and forced the evacuation of about 1,000 residents in parts of the communities of Stallion Springs and Bear Valley Springs. By Sunday afternoon, the order affecting Stallion Springs had been downgraded to a “warning” and residents were allowed to return to their homes, the Fire Department said.
Near the community of Twin Lakes, the White Fire had burned 3,412 acres as of Sunday afternoon and was 7% contained. About 30 people were evacuated from the area and a home and outbuilding were destroyed, according to the news release.
On Sunday night, California Highway Patrol officers helped respond to reports of flames near Interstate 5.
As of 10 p.m., the interstate was closed between State Route 46 and Twisselman Road, according to the CHP.
