UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.)—Los Padres National Forest Public Information Officer Andrew Madsen reports that the Station fire was declared contained at 25 acres on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 at 5:15 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department received the report of an injury to a firefighter with possible dehydration on the Station Fire. Crews from the Kern County Fire Department assisted the U.S. Forest Service, who reported a firefighter complaining of dehydration in an area of the fire that had very limited access. Crews from the KCFD started hiking to the patient and requested a helicopter to assist with a hoist rescue due to the limited access to the patient. Fire crews made contact with the patient and assisted in the rescue of the patient to the Kern County Sheriffs Air 5. The patient was flown to Frazier Park were he was transferred to a ground ambulance for transport to a local hospital with minor medical problems.

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 at 4 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department sent this press release this afternoon. “The Station fire affecting the area northwest of the community of Frazier Park is has involved a total of 35 acres and is still 25% contained. All Kern County Fire Department resources have been released from the incident with only U.S. Forest Service personnel and equipment to remain on scene. Full control is expected by Tuesday 25. The fire was determined to be caused by people shooting in the area. No structures or homes were threatened. Two firefighters have received minor injuries on the fire.”

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 10:10 p.m.)—Community reporter Kira Fisher of Decator Trail in Frazier Park writes that there are intermittent winds but that “it made us feel safer knowing they [firefigher aircraft] were all up there and our firefighters on the ground were working hard! We had the scanner going and they were definitely on it. They were awesome. They got it put out and we are all safe. A big ‘thank you’ to them.”

See additional photos of the fire here. Staff of The Mountain Enterprise (Gary Meyer and Patric Hedlund) have reported this story with the assistance of 10 community reporters, Andrew Madsen of the U.S. Forest Service and Leland Davis of the Kern County Fire Department.

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 10 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department issued this press release this evening:  At 11:37 a.m., fire crews responded to the report of a wildland fire in the Los Padres National Forest in the area north of the Kern County Fire Department substation in Frazier Park, CA. Approximately 130 firefighters from Kern County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service have responded to the incident.

Fire crews are making an aggressive attack on the wind-driven fire that started in an area northwest [of most of Frazier Park; northeast of the fire station] in an area that is used for shooting. The firefighters are facing fire that is in very steep terrain, with limited access and poor water supply. It is driven by Santa Ana wind conditions. Crews are being assisted by three water dropping helicopters and two fire retardant dropping tanker planes.

The fire is approximately 35 acres in size and about 25 percent contained. There are no homes or structures threatened at this time. One firefighter received a minor injury and was transported by ambulance to a hospital for further examination. The fire was determined to be caused by shooting in the area.

The Kern County Fire Department would like to remind folks to take extra care as the winds continue to increase and brush becomes drier this time of year. For more information telephone 661-330-0133 or visit www.kerncountyfire.org.

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 6:45 p.m.)—Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer Leland Davis told The Mountain Enterprise that gunfire is suspected in the start of the Station fire this morning on Tecuya Ridge, above Frazier Park. “Quail season started yesterday and we’re asking people to be extra cautious with gunfire and anything that could cause a spark,” Davis said. Thirty five acres have burned, they have zero containment and one injury. “One firefighter sustained minor injuries and she was transported to a hospital via ambulance,” he said. Davis said 140 personnel from both Kern County Fire Department and Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) are working the fire. LPNF is incident command. Three helicopters, two air tankers, bulldozers and handcrews are on the job, dealing with very steep terrain, he said.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 4:18 p.m.)—Radio reports indicate that a firefighter has been injured and is now being transported to Kern County Fire Station 57 for transfer to an ambulance. Preliminary radio traffic suggests it may involve a back injury.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 4:10 p.m.)—Los Padres National Forest Public Information Officer Andrew Madsen reports that the fire started at 11:41 a.m. “We had a total of six air tankers working the fire…We expect to hold the fire at 20 acres,” Madsen said in an email this afternoon.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 2 p.m.)—Fire officials have reported from the field to the Emergency Control Center that the progress of the fire has been stopped and that they are now working to extinguish spot fires.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 12:20 p.m.)—Community reporter Joyce Garrett submits this report about the fire northeast of Frazier Park: At 11:50 a.m. a fire in the Tecuya ridge area northeast of the [former] shooting range was spotted. Fire department was called and the helicopter out of the Chuchupate area responded.

Meanwhile Joyce Garrett, Linda  Curtis, Tom Cadd and Carol Lee Weber have also sent photos showing how close it is to the town. We have a reporter at the site and will be reporting more shortly.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 at 12:15 p.m.)—– A wildfire broke out on top of Tecuya Ridge, above Frazier Park this morning. Water drops have started from helicopters. Pilots report that the fire is “spotting” which means burning embers carried on the winds are spreading the fire further.

Check back at this web page for updates.

This is part of the October 21, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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