Little Fire (2025)
| Little Fire | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2025 California wildfires | |
Smoke plume from the Little Fire, seen east of Lake Isabella | |
| Date(s) | August 22, 2025 – September 5, 2025 |
| Location | Miracle Hot Springs, California and Lake Isabella, California |
| Coordinates | 35°34′09″N 118°35′09″W / 35.56917°N 118.58583°W |
| Statistics | |
| Status | Extinguished |
| Burned area | 2,506 acres (1,014 ha) |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Map | |
The Little Fire was a wildfire that burned near Lake Isabella, California and Lake Isabella that began on August 22, 2025. On September 5, the fire was fully contained at 2,548 acres (1,031 ha).[1]
Background
The Little Fire ignited on August 22, 2025, in steep brush near Miracle Hot Springs, California, along the lower Kern River canyon in Kern County.[2] Hot, dry weather and afternoon downslope winds contributed to rapid spread through chaparral and grass fuels, prompting an immediate multi-agency response from state and federal crews.[3]
Progression
The Little Fire was first reported at about 3:03 p.m. PDT on August 22, 2025, near Highway 178, southwest of Lake Isabella in Kern County.[4]
By 5:00 PM PDT on August 22, the fire was approximately 100 acres (40 ha) in size with 0% containment.[5]
By the end of August 23, the fire had burned roughly 2,532 acres (1,025 ha). State Route 178 between Lake Isabella and Bakersfield was closed in affected sections.[6]
On August 24–25, firefighters conducted burnout operations along canyon walls to slow the advance toward nearby residences and popular recreation sits.[7]
By August 25, acreage was reported at about 2,506 acres (1,014 ha) with containment rising to 93%.[8]
On September 5, 2025, the fire was listed by Cal Fire as 100% contained, with a final area of 2,506 acres (1,014 ha).[4]
As of September 2025, the cause of the fire remained under investigation by Cal Fire and Kern County Fire investigators.[4]
Impact
Hundreds of residents and campers were placed under evacuation orders and warnings in communities surrounding Lake Isabella and near Miracle Hot Springs.[9] Popular river access points, including Hobo Campground and Miracle Hot Springs, were temporarily closed, and heavy smoke affected air quality in the Kern River Valley and the southern Sierra Nevada.[10]
Growth and containment
| Date | Area burned | Personnel | Containment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 22[11] | 245 acres (1 km2) | 310 | 0%
| ||
| August 23[12] | 2,532 acres (10 km2) | 1,542 | 0%
| ||
| August 24[13] | 2,532 acres (10 km2) | 1,876 | 39%
| ||
| August 25[14] | 2,537 acres (10 km2) | 2,018 | 65%
| ||
| August 26[15] | 2,548 acres (10 km2) | 2,250 | 93%
| ||
| — | |||||
| September 5[4] | 2,506 acres (10 km2) | — | 100%
| ||
See also
References
- ^ "Little Fire". Cal Fire. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire – Incident Overview". CAL FIRE. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Crews battle fast-moving Little Fire in Kern River Canyon". KGET 17 News. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Little Fire". Cal Fire. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ "Incident Update Little Fire 08/22/2025 5:00 PM". Cal FIRE. August 22, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ "Brush fire burns over 2,500 acres in Kern County, prompting evacuation orders". CBS Los Angeles. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Evacuations lifted as crews gain ground on Little Fire". The Bakersfield Californian. August 25, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire near Highway 178 grows to over 2,500+ acres, 93% contained". BakersfieldNow. August 25, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ "Brush fire burns over 2,500 acres in Kern County, prompting evacuation orders". CBS Los Angeles. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire smoke impacts Kern River Valley; health advisory issued". ABC7 Los Angeles. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/22/2025 at 9:50 PM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/23/2025 at 10:15 PM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/24/2025 at 6:28 AM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/25/2025 at 6:36 AM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/26/2025 at 7:00 AM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
External links
- Little Fire at InciWeb
- Little Fire at CalFire