Little Fire (2025)
The Little Fire was a wildfire that burned near Lake Isabella in Kern County, California. It started on August 22, 2025, in dry brush near Miracle Hot Springs along the lower Kern River canyon. Hot, dry weather and afternoon downslope winds helped it spread quickly through chaparral and grasses.
The fire was first reported around 3:03 p.m. PDT on August 22 southwest of Lake Isabella. By 5:00 p.m. it had grown to about 100 acres with no containment. On August 23 it had burned roughly 2,532 acres. California State Route 178 between Lake Isabella and Bakersfield was closed in affected areas.
Firefighters conducted burnout operations on August 24–25 to slow the fire and protect nearby homes and recreation sites. By August 25, the Little Fire covered about 2,506 acres (1,014 hectares) and was about 93% contained.
On September 5, 2025, Cal Fire listed the Little Fire as 100% contained, with a final size of 2,506 acres (1,014 hectares). The cause remained under investigation by Cal Fire and Kern County Fire investigators.
Hundreds of residents and campers were evacuated or warned to prepare to leave. Popular river access points, including Hobo Campground and Miracle Hot Springs, were closed. The smoke reduced air quality in the Kern River Valley and the southern Sierra Nevada.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 03:38 (CET).