Update: Firefighters say the Gulch Fire is now 95% contained and evacuations for homes in the Hungry Gulch and Isabella Highlands have been lifted since Wednesday night. The wildfire started Wednesday and has burned about 400 acres, primarily to the west and north of the lake. One cabin burned but the residents were able to escape. More than 600 federal, state, and county firefighters are still on the front lines.
County firefighters were battling a wildfire early Wednesday that threatened up to 150 homes near Lake Isabella.
Mandatory evacuations were put into effect for the communities of Hungry Gulch and Isabella Highlands.
The Gulch Fire broke out around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday near the French Gulch Bridge on Highway 155. The flames had consumed some 450 acres and was only 35 percent contained Wednesday morning.
The County Firefighters were joined by those from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.
200 firefighters were on scene battling the fire with an additional 200 on their way to help.
An evacuation center was set up at the Lake Isabella Senior Center at 6409 Lake Isabella Boulevard. Meantime, an evacuation center for large animals was established at the Kern County Animal Shelter located in South Lake at 14891 Highway 178.
There were no reported injuries and damage estimates were not immediately available.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Full containment is expected by Friday.
