by BAKERSFIELD, Calif. —
Multiple fire crews fought off a vegetation fire near a neighborhood at the base of the Panorama Bluffs Friday afternoon, according to the Kern County Fire Department (KCFD).
The KCFD said Bakersfield and Kern County firefighters responded to reports of that vegetation fire around 1:54 p.m. on May 23, 2025. Strong winds fueled the fire, and flames rapidly spread through dry grass and thick brush.
When firefighters arrived, they found a fire covering nearly 3 acres, driven by the winds.
KCFD reported the fire quickly escalated, with the wind carrying embers igniting fires in new spots.
Additional resources were used to fight the fire, including fire engines, patrols, hand crews and Helicopter 407.
KCFD said the fire eventually jumped a canal and a bike path at the base of the bluffs, racing uphill toward Panama Dr. Firefighters worked to protect lives and property, evacuating pedestrians from the bluffs and defending nearby homes.
After nearly two and a half hours of intense effort, firefighters halted the fire’s forward spread, leaving approximately 60 smoldering acres, according to the KCFD.
KCFD said firefighters remained on scene overnight, reinforcing containment lines and extinguishing hot spots.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
