State of Emergency Declared in Kern County, Calif.

Erskine Fire explodes to more than 30,000 acres prompts State of Emergency Declaration

The so-called Erskine Fire, burning in the Lake Isabella area of Kern County, has devoured more than 30,000 acres, killing at least two people, destroying or damaging scores of building and threatening more than 1,500 additional structures, fire officials said.

• The deadly fire prompted Gov. Brown to declare a state of emergency.
• Up to 6,000 people have been evacuated.
• The fire started around 4pm on Thursday and quickly spread 18km in 13 hours, devouring 30,000 acres of parched grass, officials said.
• Some 800 fire personnel are currently at the scene, Inciweb said.

Meanwhile, the federal government issued a Fire Disaster Management Assistance for California Erskine Fire (FM-5131).

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