KERNVILLE, Calif. -- Around 12 p.m. Friday, firefighters from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land management and the Kern County Fire Dept. responded to a fire approximately 8 miles north of Kernville, burning across National Forest lands.

The Corral fire is burning in grass, brush and scattered timber east of Mountain 99, at “Whitesides”, and is presently 150 acres. The fire started mid-slope and quickly spread to the top of the ridge. The Corral fire is burning in a southerly direction causing a few spot fires due to the winds. Helicopters on scene were busy drafting water from the adjacent Kern River to slow the fire’s spread and the fire’s north edge (spread) has been stopped. At this time, Air Attack along with 3 Air Tankers, 3 helicopters, 5 Engines, 5 crews, 4 patrols, 1 water tender and 6 overhead are on scene with the fire burning in a southerly direction.

Additional resources, hand crews, and air tankers are ordered and enroute. Firefighting personnel will be on scene through the night.

The exact cause of the fire is under investigation; however it is considered to be human caused. The Forest Service is requesting the public’s assistance in locating persons of interest that were seen in or around the “Corral” fire vicinity, today August 7th. To report any information please call the National Forest Hotline at (559) 294-4894.