SAND CANYON -- County fire crews have finally extinguished a blaze that scorched 450 acres near Tehachapi.

Kern County firefighter Brandon Smith said the fire started at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday when a pile of almond hulls spontaneously combusted. The "Lehigh Fire" -- as it was named by fire crews -- was located in Sand Canyon one mile east of Highway 58. Officials say at one point, the Sand Canyon community was threatened, but residents are now being allowed in.

As of 11 a.m. Friday, fire crews were still cleaning up the fire area to make sure the blaze didn't reignite. Smith said he expects those crews to be clear from the scene at about 6 p.m.