Lightning Strikes Spark 50+ Brush Fires In Kern County

KERN COUNTY (CBS) — Authorities in Kern County say lightning strikes have sparked more than 50 brush fires there since Saturday morning and they have declared a Proclamation of Local Emergency.

One fire, just north of Bakersfield,  is reportedly as large as 1,000 acres and growing. The fire reportedly started near Granite and Round Mountain Roads.

Some structures are reportedly threatened in many of the fires around the county. These fires have been dubbed the Black Fire, Indian Fire and Comanche Fire.

UPDATE (10:30 p.m.): The Comanche Fire, located in the lower Tejon Canyon, had consumed about 5,000 acres, is 10 percent contained and is threatening Stallion Springs.

Access to the area between Hearts Flat Road and Black Mountain Road  is closed to everyone but residents with identification.

A fire near Arvin, reportedly spread to 3,000 acres.

In total, officials say more than 15,000 acres have been scorched.

Smaller fires have been dubbed the Knob, Wolf, Milano, Reed and North Fires.

UPDATE (10:40 p.m.): The Knob fire is located south of Highway 166 between I-5 and Maricopa. It is 50 percent contained and has burned about 4,000 acres. The Wolf fire is 50 percent contained and has burned 500 acres. The Milano fire is 0 percent contained and had burned about 3,500 acres. It is 12 miles east of Comanche Drive.  The Reed fire is approximately 2,000 acres. Containment there is not known. The North fire is burning on Round Mountain Road at Gate A and has consumed about 1,500 acres there. No word on containment.