Little Fire (2025)

Last updated

Little Fire
Part of the 2025 California wildfires
Little Fire smoke August 23.jpg
Smoke plume from the Little Fire, seen east of Lake Isabella
Date(s)August 22, 2025 (2025-08-22) – September 5, 2025 (2025-09-05)
Location Miracle Hot Springs, California and Lake Isabella, California
Coordinates 35°34′09″N118°35′09″W / 35.56917°N 118.58583°W / 35.56917; -118.58583
Statistics
StatusExtinguished
Burned area2,506 acres (1,014 ha)
Ignition
CauseUnder investigation
Map
USA California location map.svg
FireIcon.svg

The Little Fire is a wildfire burning 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]

Contents

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

Fire containment status Gray: contained; Red: active; %: percent contained;
DateArea burnedPersonnelContainment
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

  1. "Little Fire". Cal Fire. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  2. "Little Fire – Incident Overview". CAL FIRE. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  3. "Crews battle fast-moving Little Fire in Kern River Canyon". KGET 17 News. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Little Fire". Cal Fire. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  5. "Incident Update Little Fire 08/22/2025 5:00 PM". Cal FIRE. August 22, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  6. "Brush fire burns over 2,500 acres in Kern County, prompting evacuation orders". CBS Los Angeles. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  7. "Evacuations lifted as crews gain ground on Little Fire". The Bakersfield Californian. August 25, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  8. "Little Fire near Highway 178 grows to over 2,500+ acres, 93% contained". BakersfieldNow. August 25, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  9. "Brush fire burns over 2,500 acres in Kern County, prompting evacuation orders". CBS Los Angeles. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  10. "Little Fire smoke impacts Kern River Valley; health advisory issued". ABC7 Los Angeles. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  11. "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/22/2025 at 9:50 PM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  12. "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/23/2025 at 10:15 PM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  13. "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/24/2025 at 6:28 AM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  14. "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/25/2025 at 6:36 AM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  15. "Little Fire: Incident Update on 08/26/2025 at 7:00 AM | CAL FIRE". www.fire.ca.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2025.