BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Residents of Kern County are expressing concern over the unusually dense fog that has persisted in the area this January.
Many locals have noted that the fog feels thicker and longer-lasting than in previous years.
Fog in Bakersfield on Monday, January 19. PHOTO: KBAK/KBFX
“Oh, that fog was crazy yesterday. It was, like, a scary movie or something,” said Brim.
Vanessa Martinez, a longtime resident, remarked, “This is not the same since I was little at all. Like, it’s completely different.”
The fog has raised fears, especially following recent incidents, and has prompted discussions about its causes.
Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Ilya Neyman explained that this January has seen significantly more dense fog compared to last year.
“January last year came in with just one. Now it doesn’t take a genius to figure out. This year, we’ve got more than just one for this month alone,” Neyman said.
Fog in Bakersfield on November 28, 2025, at around 9:20 a.m. CREDIT: Caltrans
He attributed the prolonged fog to a combination of air temperature and moisture, leading to saturation and condensation at ground level.
Howard Galloway, who frequently drives through the fog, noted the stark difference from mountain living.
“We see the clouds hanging over Bakersfield, and it’s a big difference from living, from mountain living,” he said.
For newcomers and visitors, adjusting to the fog can be challenging.
“Yeah, I didn’t know what to do, but I drove slow,” one resident shared.
Concerns about the fog include potential health effects, with Martinez noting, “I kind of noticed it, but it makes me sick a little bit. Like, it’s weird, ’cause I’ve noticed how, like, it makes you cough.”
Bakersfield fog. KBAK/KBFX
However, the primary concern remains driving safety.
Knighton expressed difficulty with visibility, saying, “I think the visibility is kind of crazy,” and added, “I’ve been struggling to see cars in front of me, and, you know, trying to see people’s headlights and people on the roads.”
Drivers are urged to slow down, use low beams, and maintain extra space between vehicles to ensure safety on the roads.