The following is a news release from the Kern County Fire Department:
Kern County Arson Unit along with CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined that the cause of the West Fire was from
equipment use. Daniel Gentle 47, and Michael Kulikoff 23, were cleaning the property at 16650 Blackburn Canyon Road.
The two men who had permission to be on the property were cutting steel pipe with a mechanized saw causing sparks which ignited near by brush.
The two men have been cited for a misdemeanor under PRC 4435 for causing a fire using mechanized equipment.
