(KERO) — According to the Kern County Fire Department, evacuation warnings have been lifted for the communities of Kernville, Riverkern, Glennville, Linns Valley, Pine Mountain, Badger Canyon and Poso Flat in the face of the French Fire. The evacuation order for Pala Ranches has been reduced to an evacuation warning.
As of Monday morning, the French Fire has burned 25,264 acres burned and is 26% contained.
Over the weekend evacuation orders for parts of the Kern River Valley were downgraded as Wofford Heights and Isabella Highlands are now under evacuation warnings in the face of the French Fire.
According to the U.S. Forest Service:
• On the north side of the fire there was very little growth yesterday. Firefighters with support from aircraft have been working to put out spot fires and have tied handline and dozer line into the rocks at Black Mountain. Structure defense remains for resources in the immediate area, including the Shirley Peak communication hub and the Southern California Edison 66kV sub-transmission lines north of State Route 155.
• Along the northwest side, spot fires from the previous days grew together, putting up a lot of smoke. Mop up and scouting for direct and indirect line is occurring today. The fire continues to back slowly into Alder Creek, Cedar Creek against the wind and the indirect dozer line is progressing well in this area. Crews are scouting for opportunities to go direct.
• The east side of the fire remained quiet throughout the day and crews made good progress mopping up. This has allowed for some containment to be made around Alta Sierra. Residents will see smoke in the fire’s interior as crews mop up and monitor the fire activity. Please be cautious of surrounding activities and potential hazards in and around the fire area; fire resources will be active in the area.
• Monday will be hot and dry, with temperatures in the upper 90s and humidity in the teens. Winds will be light and out of the west this morning, switching to the northwest this afternoon and strengthening. Ridge-top gusts will be 18-24 mph. Gusty down-canyon winds may develop on the east side of the fire. Slightly higher humidity may arrive mid-week.
