Highway 178 closed as vegetation fire burns near Kern Canyon Road, 200+ acres burned

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — UPDATE (1 PM):

The U.S. Forest Service – Sequoia National Forest said that the “River Fire” has grown to 225 acres.

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Highway 178 was closed in both directions Monday morning after a vegetation fire broke out along Kern Canyon Road near the west entrance to the canyon.

Kern County Fire officials said 121 acres have burned. Additional resources have been requested.

Firefighters in Kern County, along with additional resources, were battling the fire about a quarter-mile into the mouth of the canyon. The fire was first reported around 8:22 Monday morning, May 18, near the mouth of the canyon.

According to the Watch Duty app, at least 200 acres had burned and no containment was reported.

The California Highway Patrol said State Route 178 was shut down at both ends of the canyon because of the fire. “No estimated time of opening. Please find an alternate route,” CHP posted on X.

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