Deer Fire grows to 1,200 acres near Highway 58 and 223

A brush fire, known as the Deer Fire, that started near Bealville is heading towards Bear Valley Springs, according to Kern County Fire officials.

It has grown to 1,200 acres.

The fire is currently threatening 80-100 homes in Bear Valley. There is a recommended evacuation for a square area with the North boundary at Medicine Bow, West boundary at end of Deer Trail with the cross of Derrick Ct, the South boundary at Greenwater Dr., and the East boundary at Territory and Jack Arranda.

The fire is near Highway 58 and the 223, and started just after 2 p.m.

Kern County fire officials said that evacuation orders have been issued as a precaution from Deer Trail to Owl Court.

The evacuation center has been listed as Jacobsen Middle School.

Officials are also working on the Erskine Fire that is 80% contained having burned over 46k acres near Lake Isabella, which is about 40 miles east of the Deer Fire.

The 223 is closed at the 58 due to the fire.

The Kern County Fire Department issued this statement at about 4:50 p.m. Friday.

A ReadyKern Alert has been issued for the #‎DeerFire

If you live, work or are visiting an area affected by today’s wildland fire near Bear Valley Springs, please pay close attention to this message.

A wildland fire is threatening the area of Bear Valley Springs. Bear Valley Springs is currently under a recommended evacuation.

A recommended evacuation means that the fire is an imminent threat and all persons in the evacuation area are strongly advised to leave and seek shelter away from the fire area. A recommended evacuation will likely be the last warning given.

Your Kern County emergency authorities recommend that all persons in the Bear Valley Springs area evacuate as soon as possible.

An emergency evacuation center will be opened shortly. Once a location has been established, a followup message will be sent. Please also monitor local media for updated information about the evacuation.

If you have physical limitations and require evacuation transportation assistance, please call the Adult and Aging Services hotline at 1-800-277-7866.

If you have an emergency, call 911. If you have any questions about the content of this message, please contact Kern County Information and Referral Services at 2-1-1. Thank you.