KERNVILLE, Calif. -- The fire continues to burn in grass and brush on both sides of the Kern River, north of Kernville. There was very little fire activity observed overnight.

Crews will continue mopping up fire line on the southern edge of the fire to ensure no hot-spots remain. Construction of fire line will continue along the west and east flanks, as well as the north perimeter in order to stop the fire’s spread. Both helicopters and air tankers will be available to support crews working on the ground, Pete Jankowski with the California Interagency Incident Management Team said.

There has been a total of 16,460 acres burned and the fire is currently 55 percent contained.

The 8 Air Tankers have dropped 231,000 gallons of retardant on the Bull Fire since Monday. They have been flying 97 hours, according to Cindy Till of the Kern River Ranger District.

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Bull Fire Update

And so far 8 homes and a total of 6 outbuildings have been destroyed as a result of the fires.

At this time there are no evacuations in effect.

Mountain Highway 99 is closed from Headquarters Campground to Brush Creek. Also an area closure has been implemented for the Kern River Ranger District within the Bull Fire area.

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Currently the American Red Cross – Kern Chapter has two (2) shelters open in Kern County for Wildfire Evacuees.

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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Kern County as a result of the Bull Fire in the Sequoia National Forest and the West Fire in Tehachapi which combined have burned over 15,000 acres, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of more than 2,300 people in the area.

One shelter, opened Monday at 4:45 p.m., in Lake Isabella for the evacuees from Riverkern and Kernville areas due to the Bull Fire. The Shelter is located at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6409 Lake Isabella Blvd. The Red Cross is currently watching this fire to see if other areas will be evacuated. The Chapter is providing Food, Shelter, Comfort Kits, Referrals, and Teddy Bears for Children.

There is currently have a shelter in Tehachapi at the Old Jacobs Jr. High school, 126 Snyder Street for evacuees from the Old West Ranch Area Wildfire, known as the West Fire. The Chapter is providing Food, Shelter, Comfort Kits, Referrals, and Teddy Bears for Children.

The Chapter is fully staffed with volunteers who are working with other local volunteers to staff the Shelters (Lake Isabella and Tehachapi) and the Disaster Operations Center (located at the Chapter). Volunteers are transporting trailers that are fully stocked to Tehachapi with Cots, Blankets, water, and other needed supplies for Shelters.

Individuals Evacuating please take:
Family Identification and other important documents
Prescription Medications, Eyeglasses, Dentures
Change of Clothing and sturdy footwear

When Evacuating with Pets:
Evacuate with Domestic Pets in their carrier with their food. Animal Control will open a pet shelter beside the Red Cross Shelter
Large Animals: Contact Animal Control, Guy Shaw, 661-332-7218.