BLM Bakersfield issues emergency closure of Keysville due to wildland fire danger
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BAKERSFILED, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is issuing an emergency closure of the Keysville Special Recreation Management Area in Kern County, due to wildland fire danger from the nearby French Fire. This temporary closure is effective immediately, until further notice.
The French Fire started Wednesday, Aug. 18, and has burned 3,223 acres of short grass, brush and timber understory west of Lake Isabella. The BLM, Sequoia National Forest and Kern County Fire Department are in Unified Command battling the blaze, which is 0% contained.
Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect. The public is strongly advised to follow evacuation guidance. Have a full tank of gas; gather important documents, medications and family photographs, so you can leave when necessary. Monitor fire activity at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7813/. No structure is worth risking human life.
Keysville Special Recreation Management Area is closed to all forms of public access. This closure is for public and firefighter safety in relation to the French Fire and management of that fire. The affected area includes approximately 10,915 acres of BLM-managed public lands located north of the town of Lake Isabella, from the junction of State Route 178 and State Route 155 to the junction of Elizabeth Norris Road and State Route 155. For specific questions, please contact the Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.