WeatherFanatics: Shirley Fire Scorches 2,000 Acres in Sequoia National Forest

Monday, June 16, 2014

Shirley Fire Scorches 2,000 Acres in Sequoia National Forest

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

June 16,2014; 8:28PM,EDT

Pushed by the wind, a rapid wildfire in the Sierra Nevada of California, forced hundreds of evacuations over the weekend, burning approximately 2,000 acres to date.
Beginning late Friday night, the Shirley Fire was ignited in the Sequoia National Forest in California, northeast of Bakersfield, and is now threatening hundreds of residencies and the Southern California Edison communications facilities.
As a result of the fire, a shelter opened for affected residents from the Kern Valley in Lake Isabella, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
The wildfire has grown to 2,000 acres and is 10 percent contained as of Monday morning. It is currently the most active in the Rattlesnake Creek area, about 1 mile southwest of Wofford Heights, California, according to the InciWeb website.
While temperatures are expected to lower a few degrees on Monday, bringing highs down into the low 80s, light winds will continue.
It will drop into the low 80s on Monday, but a south-southwest wind will prevail between 8 to 16 mph, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Michael Doll said.
Through Wednesday, winds may gust up to 30 mph, complicating firefighting efforts, Doll said.
Closing numerous portions of roadways in the national forest, investigations are still underway to determine the cause of the blaze.

Smoke from the Shirley Fire is visible miles away, despite firefighting efforts. (Photo/InciWeb)
With flames visible from Wofford Heights and several calls have been received from concerned residents.
Smoke will continue to be an issue in the area and residents who may suffer adverse health effects due to smoke were urged to check with their health care provider.

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