| Erskine Fire | |
| Fatalities: | 2 |
| Reference: | [1] |
| Location: | Lake Isabella, Kern County, California |
| Image Map Caption: | Briefing map of the fire from June 28th. |
| Coordinates: | 35.617°N -118.453°W |
| Area: | 47864acres |
| Buildings: | 309 |
| Cause: | Worn wire running through a tree |
The Erskine Fire was a wildfire in the Lake Isabella area of Kern County.[1] It was the second-largest wildfire of the 2016 California wildfire season. It was also the first fire of the year to have fatalities and is the 15th most destructive fire in state history.[2]
The fire, which was first reported around 4:00 p.m. PST on June 23, quickly grew to over 8000acres and destroyed over 100 structures, including at least 80 residences, in the first few hours.[3]
By mid-day on June 24, the fire had grown to over 19000acres and was still 0% contained. By 6:00pm that day, officials confirmed that the fire had grown to over 30000acres with 5% contained.[4] That evening, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Kern County.[5]
On June 28, Kern County Fire Department confirmed that 257 homes had been destroyed by the fire.[6]
On July 1, Two Red Cross Shelters were set up north of Lake Isabella.[7]
On July 11, the fire was 100% contained.[2] The cost of suppressing the fire came to $23 million, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.[8]
On June 24, officials confirmed that 2 people had been killed by the fast moving fire.[9] Officials also stated that cadaver dogs were being used to search for possible additional victims.[4] The deceased victims were an elderly couple who died while attempting to flee their home.[10]
On June 25, a third set of remains was found, though the body had been burned so badly that it is unclear whether or not the remains belong to a human or an animal.[11] On June 27, the Kern County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the remains belonged to an animal and not to a human.[12]