As of June 25, 2016 4:00 p.m.:
Three firefighters who were being treated for smoke inhalation at a local hospital were released from the hospital.
An official with the National Forest Service said the fire is currently at 35,711 acres with 0% containment with an estimated cost of 3 million dollars.
Officials said the fire is expected to be contained within the next five days.
Related Article:
6:35 p.m.:
The fire is currently estimated at 30,000 acres and is 5% contained. There are approximately 800 fire fighters on scene, with several hundred more in route to the fire.
Current recommended evacuation - Hwy 178 to Kelso Valley to Piute.
The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Walker Basin Campground to Jawbone Canyon Road.
California Team 5 will take command of the fire at 8pm this evening.
6:15 p.m.:
Erskine Fire has grown to 30,000 acres and is 5% contained.
5:55 p.m.:
Officials said that the two people who died in the fire were found laying next to eachother.
Current burn map of Erskine Fire.
4:25 p.m.:
Current recommended evacuation - Hwy 178 to Kelso Valley to Piute.
2:40 p.m.:
READ: Neighbors horrified by Erskine fire
2:25 p.m.:
Southern California Edison (SCE) is reporting approximately 3,000 SCE customers in ?#KernCounty? are without service due to the ?#ErskineFire?. At this time, they're unable to provide an ETR of when affected customers will have service restored.
1:15 p.m.:
The fire started on BLM managed public lands at the junction of Erskine Creek Rd and Apollo Way at approximately 3:51PM Thursday, June 23d. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
800 firefighters are fighting this fire now.
The Salvation Army has joined in to help those affected by the fire.
12:15 p.m.:
The Kern County Fire Department confirmed that two people have died in the Erskine Fire.
#ErskineFire: 2 confirmed fatalities at this time. Firefighters are still engaged in firefighting & are beginning damage assessment.
— Kern County Fire (@kerncountyfire) June 24, 2016
11:23 a.m.:
10:11 a.m.:
The Erskine Fire is burning in the Lake Isabella area of Kern County. The fire is currently estimated at 19,034 acres. Approximately 100 structures have been lost and 1,500 additional structures are threatened. Additional information on structure damage will be posted as damage assessment teams are able to confirm details.
9:30 a.m.:
9 a.m.:
Heat, steep and rugged terrain, wind and a fast moving fire are all challenges facing firefighters. Today there will be 6 airtankers, including a VLAT, and 7 helicopters on the fire. Additional air resources are in route.
Kernville Elementary School is now the primary shelter for evacuees. There are currently approximately 125 evacuees at the elementary school. The Red Cross Safe & Well site is available for those looking for loved ones affected by evacuations:https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.
Here's a map of the damage the fire has caused as of 9:15 a.m.
5 a.m:
KCFD says more than 8,000 acres have been burned.
More than 1,500 homes threatened.
Plus, 3 firefighters are now injured battling the blaze.
KCFD says the fire can expand 6k-7k acres.
FRIDAY JUNE 24, 2016
12 a.m.:
The Triple C Camp Ranch Horse Hotel on 5818 S. Fairfax Rd, Bakersfield is providing free lodging for horses displaced by the Erskine Fire.
Two firefighters have suffered smoke inhalation.
THURSDAY JUNE 23, 2016
11:25p.m.:
5,000 acres have now burned with 0% containment.
Kernville Elementary School is now the primary shelter for evacuees. Approximately 40 evacuees are being moved from the Lake Isabella Senior Center to the elementary school.
UPDATE: 10:55 p.m.:
Road closures: Hwy 178 is closed at Hwy 155 and Sierra Way.
Evacuations are in effect for: Bella Vista, South Fork, Weldon, Onyx, Lakeland Estates, Mountain Mesa, South Lake, Squirrel Valley, and Yankee Canyon
Evacuation centers are River Nook Kernville Elementary School, Kern Valley High School and the Lake Isabella Senior Center.
Evacuation centers are Kernville Elementary School, Kern Valley High School and the Lake Isabella Senior Center.
River Nook Campground In Kernville is Offering Free Spaces For Residents To Park Their R-V’s If They Need A Place To Stay
- Also Tents Available For Those Without R-V’s
- Power, Hot Water And Showers.
UPDATE: 10 p.m.:
Erskine Fire has now burned between 3k-5k acres with 80 structures lost. 1,500 additional structures are threatened.
UPDATE: 9:30p.m.
A brush fire is burning in Lake Isabella, south of Highway 178, North of Erskine Road. More than a thousand structures are threatened, according to Kern County Fire officials.
Red cross provides shelter and comfort to Kern River Valley area residents
It started at about 5p.m. Thursday afternoon and has burned about 3,000 acres as of 9:30 p.m.
Evacuations have been ordered for Mountain Mesa, South Lake, Squirrel Valley and Yankee Canyon as well as areas between Lake Isabella and Onyx.
The hospital has been evacuated to South Fork school.
Evacuation centers are Kery Valley High School and the Lake Isabella Senior Center.
The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center for residents affected at the Kern River Valley Seniors Center.
Officials have also ordered hard closures for Highway 178 between 155 and Sierra Way.
#ErskineFire: multiple structures on fire in Squirrel Valley, 500 plus acres in size, 0% containment. Evacuations... https://t.co/r7o3ODa5DN
— Kern County Fire (@kerncountyfire) June 24, 2016
Also, Mccray and Dogwood Roads are closed.
UPDATE 7:30PM: Fire has grown to 2,500 acres, 0% contained
UPDATE 9:30 PM: Fire has grown to 3,000 acres, 0% contained
Our team has moved the shelter for #ErskineFire evacuees to Kernville Elementary School, 13350 Sierra Way, Kernville, CA 93238.
— RC Central Valley (@redcrosscv) June 24, 2016
