LAKE ISABELLA, Calif.—Dozens of homes burned to the ground as a wildfire raged over ridges and tore through rural communities in central California, authorities said.
The streaking blaze that burned at least 80 homes and other buildings northeast of Bakersfield around Lake Isabella came just as many others across western states were calming.
It broke out late Thursday afternoon amid heat in the 90s and single-digit humidity, climbing over at least three ridges into hillside neighborhoods, Kern County fire Capt. Tyler Townsend said.
Some houses were already little more than embers on the ground, while others were deep in flames. No injuries were reported.
“I’ve never been in a wildland fire where I’ve seen so many homes burn,” Townsend said. “It’s one of the most devastating I’ve ever seen.”
The fire has burned over seven square miles, and about 1,500 homes are under threat. Several thousand people were under evacuation orders.
Hillside homes along dirt roads were consumed by heavy flames in Squirrel Mountain Valley, a community of about 500 people.
