Fire Contained at Shooting Range above Frazier Park

  • Kern County Fire helicopter 408 drops water from Frazier Mountain Park's pond on the Range Fire which erupted at about 2 p.m. Saturday. [photo by The Mountain Enterprise]

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    Kern County Fire helicopter 408 drops water from Frazier Mountain Park's pond on the Range Fire which erupted at about 2 p.m. Saturday. [photo by The Mountain Enterprise]

  • A U.S. Forest Service fire unit heads down to the fire hydrant at Mt. Pinos Way and Walnut Drive. [photo by The Mountain Enterprise]

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    A U.S. Forest Service fire unit heads down to the fire hydrant at Mt. Pinos Way and Walnut Drive. [photo by The Mountain Enterprise]

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (The Mountain Enterprise, Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 8:30 a.m.)–Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) reports that the Range fire has been fully contained. KCFD’s press release follows:

"On June 4, 2011 at approximately 1:55 P.M., the Kern County Fire Department responded to a wildland fire on West End Rd., northwest of Frazier Park. Upon arrival crews were faced with a slow moving wildland fire which had spread into the brush and grass near a shooting range at the end of West End Rd.

150 firefighters from the Kern County Fire Department, US Forest Service, and BLM responded to the incident. Two water dropping helicopters, air attack 490 from Kern County Fire Department, air attack 340 from Cal Fire, five hand crews, fourteen fire engines, and one dozer was used. Kern County Sheriffs Department assisted in traffic control in the Frazier Park area.

The quick actions of fire crews contained the fire to 50 acres. Steep terrain has made access to the fire very difficult. Fire personnel will remain on scene over night. Full control of the fire is expected by Sunday morning. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.

Fire season is upon us and this is an example of what to expect in the upcoming season."

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (The Mountain Enterprise, Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 5:45 p.m.)–Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer Leland Davis reports that 50 acres have burned in the Range fire and the fire is 20% contained at this time. Helicopter crews resumed water drops after winds calmed down, but they will discontinue flights at sunset. Davis reported that four hand crews are working the fire, along with Kern County helicopter 408, U.S. Forest Service helicopter 527 and air attack 490 from Paso Robles (a fixed-wing plane which coordinates the air traffic). The National Weather Service reports a 40 percent chance of showers tonight and Sunday.

UPDATE FRAZIER PARK, CA (The Mountain Enterprise, Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.)–Fire officials have estimated the fire’s size to be 15-20 acres. Fixed wing aircraft may not be needed to control the fire, according to fire personnel via radio.

FRAZIER PARK, CA (The Mountain Enterprise, Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 3:15 p.m.)–Fire erupted at the shooting range north of Kern County Fire Station 57, above Frazier Park at about 2 p.m. The blaze was named the Range fire.

Fire helicopter crews were forced by high winds to stop flying into Frazier Mountain Park where they had been taking water. The pilot reported at about 3 p.m. that he was going to Castac Lake near station 56 in Lebec for water.

The hills around the shooting range burned one year ago when several people conducting target practice allegedly sparked a fire which burned about six acres.

No estimates of acreage or containment were available for the Range Fire.

Check back for updates at this web page.

This is part of the June 03, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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