Cessna 210 Went Down Sunday, Strong Winds Causing Fire To Spread

A brush fire sparked when a Cessna 210 went down near Tehachapi, CA has grown to over 4,700 acres and is threatening 650 homes in an area of California known for its wind farms. The 10-15 miles per hour winds are causing the fire to continue to grow.

Image Provided By Kern County, CA Fire Department

Officials say the fire was sparked when the 210, which witnesses said was executing a "fly-by" of a friend's home in Blackburn Canyon, was apparently caught by a gust of wind and "flung into a hillside." It is not known how many people were on board the aircraft, but the Associated Press reports that two people have been confirmed dead.

Multiple media sources including AP ad UPI quote Kern County, CA Fire Engineer Cary Wright as saying the fire is "very aggressive. It's a very angry fire," he said.

In a news release, the Kern County Fire Department said that, as of Monday, the fire was only about 5 percent contained. The Canyon Fire is now estimated at 4759 acres. One structure has been destroyed by the fire, with 650 residents and 150 out buildings threatened by the fire.

Road closures affected by the fire include Tehachapi Willow Spring between Highline Rd. and Cameron Rd., southbound Dennison Rd at Highline Rd. and Water Canyon Rd. at Highline Rd.

Erratic winds and steep, rugged terrain continue to challenge firefighting efforts. Firefighters will continue to hold and secure the fireline while mopping up inside the contained area.  Evacuation orders remain in place for residences in areas that are south of Highline Road, north of Oak Creek, west of White Oak, and east Water Canyon.

An evacuation center has been set up at Jacobsen Junior High, 711 Anita Drive in Tehachapi.

FMI: www.kerncountyfire.org