French Gulch fire knocks out power for Wofford Heights communities

Brandon Muncy
Kern Valley Sun

Downed power lines were the cause of a brush fire Thursday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. in the French Gulch area on the west side of Hwy. 155 at Dutch John Flat Rd, reported Cindy Thill, of the US Forest Service Public Affairs.

Initial reports said the fire burned approximately 2 acres; however, at last report, fire officials said the fire burned grass and scattered timber and was contained to just one-half acre. Outages in Wofford Heights communities left more than 1300 homes without power. By 3:00 p.m. that number was reduced to around 400.

Seventy-five fire fighting personnel including a Forest Service helicopter, seven engines, five patrols, a water tender and fire management personnel responded and had the blaze contained by 4:00 p.m., Thill said. Live power lines that laid across Dutch John Flat Road hampered access for the firefighters, but the seven engines, five patrols, a hot shot crew, and a helicopter managed to maintain control quickly.

"We were able to contain the fire to one-half acre due to the quick response and availability of firefighting resources," said Incident Commander, trainee, Angela Yearwood.

Fire officials remind residents and forest visitors of the very dry conditions that exist in our area.  Take extra care with campfires, barbeques, stoves and smoking. Also, be advised fireworks of any kind are illegal to discharge or possess in the Kern River Valley.