Firefighters in Kern County were making a stand near the community of Frazier Park on Tuesday afternoon as a brush fire threatened about 60 homes in the area, officials said.
The blaze broke out near Lebec about 12:30 p.m. and has scorched about 1,100 acres, the Kern County Fire Department said. Officials said 150 to 200 homes were evacuated as thick columns of dark smoke wafted into the sky.
The winds shifted during the afternoon, pushing flames toward Frazier Park. But a strong air assault, including fire-retardant-carrying DC-10 jets and water-dropping helicopters, appeared to slow down the advance of the oncoming flames, said Inspector Greg Powell.
"It looks like it's going to be a good situation for the residents," he said.
Fire engines and hand crews had been deployed in the Frazier Park area to protect threatened structures. An evacuation center has been set up at Frazier Mountain High School, 700 Falcon Way in Lebec.
-- Robert J. Lopez
