Erskine Fire

The Erskine Fire is a wildfire that is burning in the Lake Isabella area of Kern County. As of June 2016, it is the largest and most destructive wildfire of the 2016 California wildfire season. It was also the first fire to have fatalities.

The fire, which was first reported around 4:00pm on Thursday, June 23rd, quickly grew to over 8,000 acres (32 km2) and destroyed over 100 structures, including at least 80 residences, in the first few hours.

By mid-day Friday the fire had grown to over 19,000 acres (77 km2) and is still 0% -contained. By 6:00pm on Friday, officials confirmed that the fire had grown to over 30,000 acres (120 km2) with 5% contained.

Friday evening Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Kern County.

On Friday, June 24th, officials confirmed that 2 people had been killed by the fast moving fire. Officials also stated that cadaver dogs were being used to search for possible additional victims.The deceased victims were an elderly couple who died while attempting to flee their home. A possible third fatality may have occurred inside a mobile home, though the body had been burned so badly that it is unclear on whether or not the remains belong to a human or an animal.